Each of Us Should Please Our Neighbors

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. — Romans 15:2

We have neighbors who exemplify this verse.

Kirk golfs with one of them regularly.

And I received some fragrant lilies from his wife last month along with a beautiful card of thanks for our friendship.

They are Christians who tied a knot in my prayer quilt that their church made for me while I was undergoing chemotherapy 5 years ago.

And they were surprised to see that the quilt at the front of their church was for their neighbor, me!

Another of our neighbors and close friends put in the request for the quilt.

And our next-door neighbors sent us a beautiful floral arrangement for Thanksgiving to thank Kirk for watching their house, bringing in their trash cans, and picking up any fliers from their walkway.

Now they are getting ready to sell their house.

We've only had two different families live in that home since we moved in.

And the previous couple were wonderful Christian friends who shared their fruit and vegetables and canned goods with us.

She baked delicious rosemary shortbread cookies.

We have been blessed by our neighbors.

And we are praying for another wonderful family to move in once our neighbors sell their home.

Thank You, Lord.

Carry Each Other's Burdens

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.— Galatians 6:2 

My coworker who's going through a divorce offered to pray for us today.

She is struggling with custody battles and misses her girls when they're with they're dad.

But she was anxious to pray for me as well as for her needs.

I'm blessed to work with some wonderful people.

And my former coworker sent this photo of their family at the pumpkin patch in Oklahoma.

It hasn't felt much like fall here in San Diego with our warm weather.

But God has called us to carry each other's burdens.

So we lift up the needs of others to Him in intercessory prayer.

And He hears and answers us.

To Please His Neighbor

 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. — Romans 15:2

It is not always easy to please our neighbors.

But that's just what God commands us to do.

Each of us is to please his neighbor.

Even when our neighbor is difficult to get along with.

God asks us to think of the good of our  neighbors.

To do things that will edify them.

To put others before ourselves.

That's easier said than done.

Only with God's help can we reach out in kindness to others.

Do What Is Good for Each Other

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. — 1 Thessalonians 5:15

A few months ago my friend Kellie led us on a fun hike through Oak Canyon, not too far from my house.

Kellie's the one in the maroon t-shirt leading the way.

But toward the end, one of our friends twisted her ankle.

Of course, Kellie had a cold water bottle to put on it and we rested so she could put her leg up.

Then, when it was time to start up again, a couple of friends propped her up between them so she could hobble down the mountain without putting pressure on her ankle.

Finally, Kellie gave her a piggyback ride the rest of the way down.

My friends are always ready to do what is good for each other,

And for everyone else.

I am so thankful for them all!

Love Each Other

Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. — 1 Thessalonians 4:9

Halloween night we put candy on our courtyard table so children could help themselves.

Kirk lit a fire in the firepit and propped open our gate to welcome them.

Abby and Kirk watched from the living room as the children entered our courtyard.

Then they wished them "Happy Halloween" and the children called back, "Happy Halloween."

One girl told her little brother, "The sign says to take 2 so just two!"

Lots of parents came dressed up, too.

We had about 25 children, which was a lot for our neighborhood. 

I got home from church in time to see the last few.

They were very kind and loving to each other and very happy to have candy!