I was watching the movie, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, ” a story about Mr. Rogers and a journalist he befriended, and I kept thinking how much Mr. Rogers genuinely loved people. He took the time to ask questions to get to know them and tried to find good in all people, wanting us adults to remember what it was like to be a child. It makes me think: How hard do I try to see good in others? Do I ask people questions about themselves and really listen and get to know them?

Instead of shrugging off what I learned while thinking, “that’s a nice story” and moving on with my life, I started to brainstorm practical ways I can put into practice how I can love my neighbor. Here are some ideas that came to mind from my experience that you or I could use:

Pray for Your Neighbor

Pray for others by name, even those you may not agree with. Mr. Rogers prayed for people by name everyday. I admit I could grow a lot in this area. I do not pray for people by name as often as I’d like to.

Be Willing to Listen to Others that Are Different From You

Be slow to speak and don’t be quick to get angry. James 1:19 says, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” I know I can get so caught up in what I am trying to say that I don’t hear the other person. I’ve experienced this with my husband. I think I have a great idea and I am so convinced in my mind what should happen, that I don’t stop and contemplate what he is saying. For example, I was so convinced of the way I wanted to hide our kids’ Easter candy, and therefore I didn’t really listen to my husband’s idea, because I thought mine was the best way.

This doesn’t mean you can’t ask questions of people. That is a good skill to develop. You are showing you are interested in them. When you do ask though, make sure you really listen to the answers.

Show Love by Your Actions

When Dan and I were first married, we were struggling a bit to make it on one paycheck. One day we opened the door to find a bag of groceries; we were also sent a gift card to a local grocery store. This made our day! There were many times when we lived in California, that the church my husband worked at would bless us, like with dinners that were provided when we had two of our kids or another time a friend came and mowed our grass after we moved into a new house. They might be small things, but God used them to bless and encourage us!

Find a way to use a skill you have to help others. I have a friend who makes stocking hats for homeless men and women; she is also sewing masks to give to others all over the country.

Donate food or money to a local nonprofit. You may not see where your donation goes, but I can say it helps those nonprofits run so they can reach out and minister to people in need. When we are able to again, use your time and energy to go volunteer: Click here for some ideas on how you can get started volunteering in your community.

Send a word of encouragement to someone, mow a neighbors lawn, get groceries for someone who can’t get out of the house, take a meal to a friend who is sick or has had surgery, smile at people in the store, thank the grocery clerk and bagger, the list could go on and on……

…You shall love your neighbor as yourself

Matthew 22:39b

You never know what a kind work or action will have on someone.