Love Thy Neighbor – Testimony

Happy Friday everyone! I would like to share a testimony with you that occurred yesterday. It’s a true testament to the verse love thy neighbor. Granted your neighbor is not just someone in your neighborhood but showing love and kindness to others as you would want to be treated. In Matthew 22:33-40 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

This verse immediately came to my memory (the power of the Holy Spirit! John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.) after my neighbor displayed such an act of kindness towards me, someone I have never met in my neighborhood.

I was on my way to work when I realized I left something at home. Needless to say, I was not going to let that ruin my morning, so I drove back home to get it. When I arrived, I pressed the button to my garage door opener, but the door wouldn’t rise more than a quarter of an inch visually from the ground. I continued to try to open it repeatedly, even with force, but it would not go up any further. I chuckled to myself thinking how I was going to get into my house. I had the latch on my front door so that was not an option. I called on the name of Jesus for help and got down on my knees to attempt to go under the door. I had on a dress for work that day, but I didn’t have a choice. I couldn’t squeeze under so easily.

I stood up and called on Jesus! He is my helper and I know there is power in His name. I will say that sometimes we may expect help to show up in a different way. I thought I would call on Jesus and the door would rise, but it didn’t. I give God all the praise because I still didn’t lose my cool. Suddenly (have you noticed this word is used in the Bible right before God moves) I saw two women walking their dogs across the street. I didn’t pay any attention to them as I tried to get down on my knees again to go under the door. Then I stood up and looked down the street. The women had almost made it to the end of the street when I called out for help. They stopped and turned around. I waved at them and started walking in their direction. I explained my situation and asked if one of them could pull the door up by the handle while I slid under underneath.

With no hesitation, one of the women handed her dog’s leash to the other and followed me back to the house. She explained to me that the same thing had happened to her before. I was prepared to get on my knees to slide under the door, but the woman immediately got down on her knees, handed me her cellphone and sunshades, and said let me do it. I was in shock. I held the door up (it gave way just a little, but still wouldn’t go up) and she fit perfectly underneath. I was able to get into my house through the act of kindness of a neighbor who I have never seen before. I praised God and thanked the woman! The woman was so humble that she didn’t feel she had done anything out of the ordinary. Someone needed her help and she was there.

God is so amazing. He will send help your way. There is power in Jesus’ name. He will never leave us. His word says it: Hebrews 13:5 “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” The Bible also says in Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is flawless;…, so we can trust in the word by faith and stand on what it says.

My neighbor got down on her knees to help me. Would you do the same for a stranger? Or would you send them off and say I’ll pray for you when the need is still there and you’re able to help them. The Bible says in James 2:16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?

Whether the need is encouragement or a helping hand, we should always be willing to give it in love. You never know how God will use you to help someone else in the moment. My Pastor has previously said to our church, a lot of us are waiting on God to do something when He has already given us the power.

Recently, I was talking to a friend who had to make a difficult decision in her life and the strength that she has (God) just fell upon me. My strength was increased just from listening to her! As believers we know our strength comes from God. The God in her is the same God that is in me. She didn’t even know she had done that until I told her, but it’s God working through us to achieve this and not ourselves. Don’t miss your opportunity to allow God to work through you to help someone else. I hope when presented with this opportunity, you will choose not to turn away but to get down on your knees with the person as well.

I pray this testimony helps someone else today to remember that God cares about every area of our lives. Don’t give up!

Have a blessed week!

Love you in Christ,

Ayesha Shoulders
If you are not saved, please visit my Salvation Prayer page. God wants you to accept His free gift of salvation today. Jesus has already paid the price.
Thank you Father for your son Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.