Introduction
The command to love our neighbours as ourselves is recorded in the Bible as the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-39; Mark 12:29-31; Luke 10:27-28). This reflects that God Himself recognises that we ought to love one another and look out for one other. It is therefore not a surprise that there are many good words associated with the word “neighbour” and its different forms.
For instance, one of the synonyms of the word “neighbour” is friend. The word “neighbourly” is defined as characteristic of a good neighbour, especially in being helpful, friendly or kind. Further, synonyms of “neighbourly” include hospitable, warm, generous, cordial, considerate, supportivethatreflect what being a neighbour entails
Remember that your neighbour is not just the family living closest to you but rather anyone in need who comes your way (Luke 10:29-37). However, you may not be able to show love to everyone but you can at least start with showing love to that family next door to you or living in your area or estate but not necessarily next door.
Here are seven exciting ways to show love to your neighbour. And as you practise them, you will also be happy:
Pray with the family and intercede for them in your family prayer: A great way to show love to your neighbour is to pray with them and for them. Do you know of any challenges your neighbours may be passing through? Pray with them and ask for God's intervention on their behalf. After praying with them, still take out time in your own home to pray for them and be assured that firstly, God will indeed hear your prayers for your neighbours and secondly, God will reward your labour of love.
Invite them to share a well prepared dinner in your home: Eating meals together is a good way to forge healthy relationships with your neighbours. You do not have to wait for Christmas before you can give your neighbours food. Be spontaneous and plan a large dinner with the neighbours, tell them “Next Friday, you are all invited to my house for dinner, come with nothing but an empty stomach” then go ahead and prepare a sumptuous meal for them.
It does not have to be expensive for it to be nice. For instance, you may serve with water instead of soft drinks. Make it a family affair, let the atmosphere be informal and friendly. Let the conversations flow and let there be sounds of laughter.
Exchange pleasantries if possible daily: Greet your neighbours genuinely and with a smile. It may go a long way in lighting up their day. On the other hand, exchanging pleasantries may also cheer you up if you were unhappy prior to that.
Another important function of greetings is that they open doorways to effective communication. For instance, your neighbour may be sick and a “good morning, how are you doing?” will lead him to disclose that information and you may even be able to offer him good advice as to treatment or urge him to seek medical attention immediately.
Take a step to find out a few of their needs, material or financial, and meet them: There is joy in giving. Try to love your neighbours by giving to them. For instance, the world is presently battling a pandemic (COVID-19) and this has led to an extended period of lockdown. Many people who depend on daily sources of income have been crippled by this because they have been unable to go out to seek their daily bread. Some of these people are your neighbours and you may be fortunate enough to have alternative means of livelihood. Why don’t you extend a helping hand to your neighbours who are in need? You can offer them some resources such as foodstuff, money, detergent, soap and others, according to your capacity.
Give lifts to those who do not have personal means of transportation: If you have a personal means of transportation, you can give lifts to your neighbours who do not have. Pick them up if you see them on the road or go the extra mile to ask if they intend to go out soon so that they may go with you. If they have children in school, you may offer to drop them off or pick them up together with your children.
Send jobs their way: If you have neighbours who are artisans or businessmen or who provide certain types of services, show them love by sending jobs their way, especially if you are familiar with their work and you have seen that it’s good. For instance, you may have a tiler as a neighbour, and a friend in your office has a building project on, you can suggest your neighbour to him for the tiling work in the house. You may have another neighbour who deals with rugs, curtains and other interior design items, you can also suggest their services. They need not even know that you are sending jobs their way, the most important thing is that you will be showing love and it will be rewarding to all parties involved.
Pay them occasional visits to establish a good rapport with them: It is now common to find people who have been neighbours for years and they do not know each other. Some do not know their neighbours’ names, others don’t even know them facially. Neighbours yet strangers.
Go out of your way to know more about your neighbours. This is not to say you will become a busybody. But make an effort and let them know that you care. Visit them, find out how they’re doing, offer help if you can, ask questions out of love and not to gossip.
Be the first to extend the hand of friendship to your neighbours and begin to walk in love daily.
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