By Drick Heitman
And the second is like unto it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” - Matt.22:39
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and truth. - 1 John 3:18
But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus “ And who is my neighbor?” - Luke 10:29
The current pandemic gives us a fantastic opportunity to think about who are our neighbors, to reach out to them in “deed and truth”, and to love them as ourselves. In a situation like the one we are facing today, this may not be as easy as it seems. Some of us are embarrassed to disclose our needs, be they spiritual or secular. Others may feel depressed, believe they have nothing to offer, or laser focus entirely on their (and their families’) situations. Some may truly believe, from seeing the drama play out on the news, that nobody can help.
I am sure no one would disagree when I say that among the Grace family that are those who have acute needs that were not present a month ago. Some of these can be met, or at least minimized, by you and me. A neighbor called my wife, Elaine, recently to offer paper towels. Elaine said that we were well stocked with sanitizing gel; did she need any? A very small thing, but a connection. What if this were repeated 100 or 1000 times by scores of folks. Would we find someone who feels terribly isolated and would love to have us over for coffee and a chat? Or, somebody who has too much time on their hands to dwell on their fears and is sinking deeper and deeper into despair. Maybe a mom who be so grateful for someone to watch the kids while she picked up a few groceries. Someone to play a game of cards with, share a laugh over a long forgotten memory, or…to exchange hand sanitizer for paper towels. For many of us, the excuse “I’m just too busy” has been effectively removed. Let’s use this time to honor the second commandment in prayer and deed.
