Three ways to be the best neighbor.

By: Janet Perez Eckles

“So very sorry,” I said to the voice on the phone, “don’t have time for a survey.”

Don’t you hate to cut these people off? They’re trying to earn a paycheck just like you and me. I feel bad…but feel worse if I should spend time on the phone when I could be doing meaningful things; like crafting a blog for you.

I don’t like to take surveys, but I do like to read the results. Check this one out:

“Zillow’s fifth annual most-desired and least desired celebrity Neighbor Survey…here are the results:

Tim Tebow and the Pitt-Jolie family were the top two celebrities most desired as neighbors. The ‘Jersey Shore’ cast and Charlie Sheen were the least desired neighbors.”

That got me thinking. Although I’m no celebrity, I wonder what kind of neighbor I might be.

Here’s the measuring stick: Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).

As myself? Gulp. We’re talking lots of loving. So, did God really mean that extreme kind of love? Guilt, I admit. I don’t even know the neighbor next door. Not really. I guess I could say I love them by leaving them alone?

Correction chica, God seemed to say to me. The neighbors aren’t always those that share the yard, but those who share the universe with us.

Here are three ways to know if you’re a loving neighbor.

1. How kind are you to telemarketers who interrupt your dinner, taking surveys or selling their stuff? (2 Timothy 2:24).
2. How do you react when someone slapped your senses with unfairness? (Matthew 18:21-22)
3. How do you react to that co-worker who makes you crazy? (Micah 6:8)

Tough questions. But while we’re in our own world, our own house, watering our own yard of peace, without warning, God has pop quizzes, sporadic tests and one final exam: Did you love your neighbor? Really love him?

I’ll try to be a Tim Tebow kind of neighbor so more people will want to be near me. And I’ll start with the next person who interrupts my day with annoyance. How about you?

Father, thank you for the circumstances to test my commitment to you. Grant me wisdom to know the reaction, use the words and apply the love you teach. In Jesus’ name I ask.

• Who’s driving you crazy today?
• How successful were you in resolving the situation your way?
• Have you tried God’s way to love your neighbor?

Janet