photo by Phan Cuong on PEXELS
Our friend Greg (our son by another Mother) spent the night with us this week. In the course of our conversation with him, he talked about how he had a neighbor once who had a dog who barked continuously. It was very irritating, but he decided (for the sake of friendship) to let the dog bark and not say anything.
In our home recently, we have been talking a lot about the first and greatest commandment, which is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. (Mark 12:30-31) The second, of course, is to love our neighbor as ourselves.
We have had some wonderful neighbors through the years. Some started out not to be so loving, but we decided to just "let the dog bark." We ended up with some really great neighbors that way.
What does it matter if a neighbor doesn't mow quite to the property line? How long would it take for you to mow it?
What does it matter if their children play more in your yard than in theirs? Take the kids drinks and cookies.
I had a neighbor once who would bring little treats over and sit them in the chair by my back door. Sometimes it would be half a watermelon. Once it was frozen veggie egg rolls she had found at the store that I just "had to try." One crisp fall morning, I walked out my back door and a huge yellow mum was sitting on my picnic table.
Next time the neighbor dog barks incessantly, take it a treat. Better yet, take your neighbor a treat. Loving your neighbor as yourself might not always be easy. He may have a barking dog. If so...just let the dog bark!
(Thanks Greg!)
In our home recently, we have been talking a lot about the first and greatest commandment, which is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. (Mark 12:30-31) The second, of course, is to love our neighbor as ourselves.
We have had some wonderful neighbors through the years. Some started out not to be so loving, but we decided to just "let the dog bark." We ended up with some really great neighbors that way.
What does it matter if a neighbor doesn't mow quite to the property line? How long would it take for you to mow it?
What does it matter if their children play more in your yard than in theirs? Take the kids drinks and cookies.
I had a neighbor once who would bring little treats over and sit them in the chair by my back door. Sometimes it would be half a watermelon. Once it was frozen veggie egg rolls she had found at the store that I just "had to try." One crisp fall morning, I walked out my back door and a huge yellow mum was sitting on my picnic table.
Next time the neighbor dog barks incessantly, take it a treat. Better yet, take your neighbor a treat. Loving your neighbor as yourself might not always be easy. He may have a barking dog. If so...just let the dog bark!
(Thanks Greg!)
