Love your neighbor

Love your neighbor as yourself is one of those commands that should come easy but it is so difficult. A few weeks ago my kids and I came home from school and Isaiah noticed the back door had been kicked in. As we looked through the house we realized a few things had been taken. A few things that cannot be replaced. Someone came into our home and took our things. God continues to teach me that things are just that, things. I was so thankful we were not home. That is what is most important. My family cannot be replaced. I continue to thank The Lord that He protected us all by allowing us to be gone to school and work.
So am I to love the neighbor who came into my home, stole my belongings and kicked in the back door? Am I to love the neighbor who has changed our behavior and who has disrupted our peace and security in our own home? The answer is yes. God said to love our neighbor. He tells us to do it. He never said love your good neighbor. That would have been easy but Jesus does not call us to do what is easy. He did not do what was easy when He suffered and died a horrible death just to give me a relationship with Him. I have kicked in Jesus' back door so many times and tried to take what was not mine forgiveness, mercy, Grace. Just to learn that Jesus offered it to me freely. I cannot take it from Him. He offered it to me and to you. All we have to do is receive it and Follow Him. It's not easy but it is a joy filled, amazing journey. I cannot say that I feel Love for my neighbor who broke into our house but Im trying. I want to love as Jesus loves. In light of the Love and Forgiveness I have received, I must love others.

Thank you Lord for your love which seeks us out and forgives us even though we do not deserve it and thank you for your protection.