"Terrible Neighbor"

A friend made a confession...her phone rang and up popped the name “Terrible Neighbor.” Now of course that was not the person’s real name, but that is the descriptive label that my friend had given her because of the awful way that she had been treated by the person who lived in the unit next door.

Since my friend was at dinner she ignored the phone call and figured that the neighbor was simply calling to complain about something else. She could listen to the ranting message later.

Arriving home after dinner my friend thought perhaps she should have answered the phone when she saw all of the emergency vehicles in the driveway. There had been a flood and the neighbor had called to inform her of what was going on.

Just a few months earlier, my friend would have made other choices, but because God has been at work in her life, she chose to go next door, express condolences and even offer assistance if needed.

The neighbor seemed to soften at the offer and then thanked her.

Who knows, this disaster might be the catalyst that will change the relationship between two people, one who had been mean and hateful and one who chose to break the pattern and reach out with a helpful hand.

Luke 6:27-28  “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

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