My family recently moved to a new house in a new part of town. I have not lived in the same place for more than four years for my adult life, which has afforded me many opportunities to meet new neighbors.
Each time, my introverted self rallies with the Holy Spirit about getting out to know my neighbors, whether it’s those on my street, in my church, at my kid’s school, or the local coffee shop.
The simpler path to take is to hole up inside my house and hope that someone will come find me. The gospel-centered path is to be the neighbor I keep hoping will show up on my doorstep with cookies and a warm smile.
Neighbors are our potential friends, people made in the image of our God who want to know that they are seen and valued.
Regardless of what we agree or disagree on, we get to love our neighbors in the same way that Jesus loved us. He provides everything we need for the heavy and beautiful task of loving people. How do we love the people around us well and make friends out of neighbors?
1. Be Available
I love becoming a “regular” at stores and public places. Regulars are offered windows into the lives of baristas, clerks, janitors, and next-door neighbors. Asking open-ended questions to people around us is an invitation for them to be known.
Regulars have a front-row seat to hear about the struggles and victories of an employee who may feel completely unnoticed.
Your literal next-door neighbor might feel lonely and need someone to remind them that they matter to God and you. Your presence is a gift that reaps rewards far beyond a fifteen-minute conversation in their driveway.
2. Listen Well
When was the last time someone listened well to you and actively followed up on your conversation?
I have a few people who immediately come to mind that have actively listened, asked good questions, and followed up later to find out how I am doing. Listening is an act of love that shows we value the mind and heart of our neighbor.
The author and leadership speaker, Jon Acuff suggested putting reminders in our phone calendars to follow up with friends when they tell us something important about their lives. Our intentional attention to people displays what we value in a loud world fighting for our attention.
Neighbors are our potential friends, people made in the image of our God who want to know that they are seen and valued.
3. Show Hospitality
Nothing elaborate is required! A simple meal and good conversation become a haven for weary hearts. In our fast-paced world, slowing down for a meal around a table could be exactly what lonely hearts need.
Our new house began to feel like a home once our friends came over to share a meal with us. Boxes lined the walls, but all we needed was a place to sit and enjoy conversation and company. We can all feel at home in a space when the atmosphere is saturated in love.
Whether it’s a cup of coffee and conversation, a walk, or a hug, we get to give generously of ourselves to our neighbors because Jesus has done the same for us.
4. Encourage
Critical voices and lies about our identity abound all around us. That is not the heart of the Father, and as His children, it is not our heart for the world around us either. We get to seek the good and beautiful things out in our neighbor’s lives and remind them of who the Lord created them to be.
How has their presence made a difference in your life or the lives of people around them? Tell them! Your words carry the power of life or death, and as children of God, we speak life to nourish the world around us (Prov. 15:4, 18:21).
Our neighbors will know we love Jesus by the way that we love them. We can love them in a million different ways, but the small, day to day attention builds a trust that holds space to illuminate the gospel in a lonely, busy world.
In the comments below, share the ways you love your neighbor! How do you get to know them and serve them? How do you learn more about Jesus by loving your neighbor?
Amanda Eubanks is a wife to Travis, mom to Asher (7), Annalise (5), Benjamin (3), and Judah (1), and a Revelation Wellness instructor (Platoon 19). She loves getting outside to enjoy nature, dance parties with her family in the kitchen, and enjoying coffee and conversation with new and old friends.
17 Responses
This descri my husband perfect. He gives the mail lady a cold soda , cold drink to the fellows who collect our trash and his phone number to widowed and elderly neighbors. He is always avai with a smile and a helping hand. My hero!
Aww Becky! He sounds so sweet! Those are great ways to love your neighbor!
Great article, Amanda! Really needed to hear this.
Thanks for reading, Amy! Loving our neighbor is so important!
So good, amanda. Thank yok fkr reminding me of the very tangible ways to share my life and love with others. I feel Encouraged to host friends and listen with follow up. You’re a blessing.
I’m so glad this is encouraging, Stephanie! I love her ideas about following up on conversations. I love when people do that for me, so I really want to make an effort to do that for others.
Love this, AMandA! Even those of us who live In small towns can appreciate this reminder. My hubby and i have decided it feels so much better to offer to mow our neighbor’s Lawn than it does to complain about it and become bitter. Love ‘em like Jesus! Thanks for the nudge!
Thanks for sharing, Kim! Mowing someone else’s lawn is definitely an act of love. 🙂
Great reminder. I have lived in the same little town all my life. So i am not sure how i would be if i moved Some where else but i love talking to strangers in the groceRy line. My husband and sons were never a fan of me doing this.
OnE way i do reach out is to do small things for those i work with that have the hard jobs with little recognition. Like Janitorial, security and cafeteria workers.
I make them jelly at ChRisTmas and will but them donUts Now and then. Ask them what there plans are for weekends. So many people ignore these workers but no large company would be in BUSINESS without them.
Thank you for sharing, Mary!
tHANK YOU FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT, lOVE. i’M PROUD OF YOU, AND yOU’RE SETTING A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW TO BE A LOVING NEIGHBOR TO EVERYONE AROUND YOU.
Apparently Caps lock was on. Go Amanda! Your writing is excellent :).
Thank you, Travis! Thanks for reading the blog 🙂
Loved this Blog! I just finished reading Rosaria Butterfield’s book, “The Gospel Comes with a House Key.” I can’t recommend it enough!
She states, that believers are all called to radical ordinary hospitality. Your article just sums up her book. Thanks for encouraging us this way!
We have 4 new neighbors on our street and invite them and some of the other neighborS for a cookout “pitch in” ( as they call it in the midwest) A couple of them shared they never experienced this kind of friendliness in a neighborhood. Its amazing how simple it can be to show love when I get my eyes off my self and step out in faith. BlessIngs!
I have this book on my list! Thank you for sharing! A neighborhood cookout is a great idea 🙂
Loved this post! God has provided opps for me to meet some of my neighbors. Now that the weather is warming, I know there will be more divine connections!
Amen! Thanks for sharing Sam!