A few years ago my friend Pam was taking the missionary discussions. The Elders in her ward were just not seeming to work out. They had a few missed appointments and finally had a discussion planned for a certain day and the night before we all confirmed.
Then they cancelled on her that morning!
I started out pretty angry. I don’t know why that happened and wish they hadn’t needed to cancel. But I learned a lot!
When I found out, I decided to call my wards missionaries and get something set up with them for the same time. They were free. We figured out that Angela’s husband could come. I was happy and glad that we had figured out a solution. But Pam had already made other plans. So it didn’t work out.
Then I was just angry and sad. So I was praying/in a rather grumpy way to God. Asking Him why they cancelled and that I loved Pam so much and was just enjoying this journey with her. I just had this earnest prayer going on about how much I love Pam and love the Gospel and love sharing it with her.
Loving my Neighbors
God interrupted my rant with a question… “Why are you not this earnest with your neighbors? Shouldn’t you want this as deeply for your neighbors?”
“I don’t KNOW my neighbors enough to love them.” I quickly replied. Then I stopped.
That was a pretty earth shattering realization. I don’t know my neighbors. I mean I do. We say Hi. I watch one neighbors dogs. The others I chat with maybe once every month. But I don’t really know them. I actually do pray for my neighbors each morning as they are on my “prayer cheat sheet”. But I don’t know them.
Do I need to know them more to love them?
How can I love them unless I know them? I need to know them better to care that much.
God interrupted me again. “Maybe you don’t NEED to know them that much to love them more. Just pray for that love and desire to share. That is a GIFT I can GIVE you.”
Wow – that gave me pause too. It felt a little scary, burdensome maybe? Can I love more people? Do I WANT to pray for that?
I thought of when I was pregnant with T2 and I was worried, maybe I wouldn’t have enough love for another child. I think all parents expecting their second child go through that. Will I have enough love?
But we quickly realize, our heart expands, like our belly had. There is plenty of love. I can love my neighbors more. If I just even reflect God’s love more to them. That is powerful.
So I shall pray and ask for that gift. The Gift of LOVING my Neighbors. I don’t know if I can love them as much as I love Pam. She is pretty awesome! But anything is possible through God. 🙂
Matthew 22:39 “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”
Can you pray and ask for the gift of loving your neighbors? Pray for the opportunity to reach out to one today.
#LIGHTtheWORLD