Love Your Neighbor

Sprinkle Love Generously.

Februaries in the midwest can be particularly frustrating and disheartening with their soggy, burdened landscapes of dreary browns and grays, and weather that can't seem to decide whether it wants to have us in spring jackets or bite our noses with frost. This area just cries out for a nice, little holiday to lift the spirits before the long-awaited arrival of spring.

St. Valentine's Day is loved by many, hated by some, ignored by others. It can definitely brighten up the winter months, but it might also darken them. There are those who spend a week's salary on sweets for their sweetheart. A few might dream up a verse or two and deliver it with shyness or secrecy to their unsuspecting crushes. Some pine and buy a pint for themselves. But however a person celebrates (or doesn't celebrate), the underlying purpose of the holiday does not change.

To express love to others.

Now, there are many thoughts on how St. Valentine's Day was started, who Saint Valentine was, what pagan festival it evolved from, and so on. However, even though (like most holidays) the day has become overly commercialized, most people can agree that it is a day that people put forth a bit more effort to show those they love how much they care. And, most of the time, it is pretty easy to show love for people who love you in return.

But what about the people that we don't necessarily love or who don't love us? How about that neighbor who yells at your dog and never mows his yard? How about the classmate who you can never remember the name of, or the one who uses your head for a spit-ball target? Perhaps its the co-worker or boss who seems to spend their day making your life miserable. I think we all have people that we don't think about (or don't think nicely about), but does that mean that they are undeserving of love?

I have some of those people in my life. The work it takes to demonstrate love towards someone that I don't know or don't particularly like can be daunting, seemingly impossible. But when I begin to think of how difficult it is, a little voice inside of me says, "Remember the cross. Remember the love that sacrificed everything for you. That same sacrifice was for your co-worker, for your neighbor, for that classmate spitting on you. Who are they not to be loved, while I love you?"

The above relates to a man called Jesus giving up his own life for the salvation of mankind. He acted selflessly even for those who hated him. (You can find the account in the New Testament of the Bible. Read John 3:16-21; Matthew 27 & 28) He paid the ultimate sacrifice for you and me and that dog-hating neighbor. Whether or not you believe in the words of the Bible, they are insightful and wise, teaching people to love one another, even those unknown or unliked.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 New International Version (NIV)

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Loving people is not always easy; I think we can agree on that as well. But what is important often takes a bit more effort, doesn't it? After-all, we are not always lovable or likable ourselves.

Delivering that box of chocolates to someone you really like is exciting and fun, an amazing event. It makes both parties (hopefully) feel good, loved, appreciated. But let's also think of how that same gift could make that neighbor or classmate feel? It might just be the first heart-shaped box of candy he or she has ever received. It might even change their attitude towards your dog or change their mind about using your head for spit-ball target practice.

Change will only come with action.

St. Valentine's Day did not come about because a man acted selfishly and kept his love only for people who were loved by society. Valentine lived for those who were hated and persecuted. He took loving his neighbor to a complete sacrificial level, eventually being martyred by the Roman government because of it. That is not very "warm and fuzzy", but it makes me take a step back and reconsider the impulsive feelings that many (including myself) can sometimes have towards a holiday which has evolved into three isles at the supermarket and the promise of a steak dinner.

It is ultimately about selfless love.

Challenge: Help someone that does not quite fit into your "friends and loved-ones" category beat the late-winter-ain't-got-no-valentine blues. Pick up an extra box of chocolates or flowers for (try for bright, cheery colors) a special, unexpected delivery. Make the gift without condition or expectation. Not sure what to say when you are standing there awkwardly, gift in hand? Don't worry about it. A little awkwardness never killed anybody. Don't let the fear of "awkward" keep you from loving somebody. Simply think about what you would want them to say to you if the roles were switched, and take action. Make it happen. Share the love.