Wanda’s Journal

Helping Our Neighbors

On one of our trips to Indiana, we were traveling down the road in our rental car when suddenly we saw an elderly Amish woman struggling to get her horse out of a ditch and back on the road. Before my husband had a chance to respond to the situation, our Amish friend who sat in the backseat shouted, “Please, stop the car; I need to help that woman!” My husband had barely stopped the car when our friend jumped out and raced over to the horse and buggy. Having grown up around horses, she wasn’t afraid, and quickly had the horse under control so the elderly woman could get back in her buggy. Watching the situation unfold, I thought of the Bible verse that reminds us that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. That means helping when we see a need.
It’s easy to find a reason not to get involved—indifference, busyness, or fear. Life for the Amish isn’t about seeing if they can get ahead of their neighbors, but seeing if they can help their neighbors.
As we seek to follow the Lord, we should look for opportunities to help our neighbors. We may be the only Jesus they’ll ever see. Is there something you have have done to help one of your neighbors this week?

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19 Comments

  1. Our church mission ladies provide lunch once a month for a Bible study group of students that meet at the Clarmont branch of the university of Cincinnati. Yesterday it was our turn to take the lunch to the students. I gave a salad and the fixings for my contribution. Evening though there was a winter advisory out, we met at the church and got the food together and delivered it to the students.
    A salad . Not much by itself,f but when we all worked together as a team we were able to feed a group of about 20 students.

  2. We have a neighborhood watch where we live and now that my husband is retired he watches closely what goes on in our neighborhood. We’ve had a problem not only in our neighborhood but all over our city of mail getting stolen out of our mailboxes. Some checking accounts have been compromised. We have spread the word around and all are watchful and no one mails anything directly in our boxes. We try to spread the word and watch out for each other in all circumstances.

  3. My mother lives beside me. Sometimes a simple phone call brightens her day, or a unexpected visit. A invite for supper, a offer to pick her up and ride to town with me, simple things, they can mean so much.

  4. A couple of weeks ago, we had a snow storm. The snow was coming down so thick that you couldn’t see more the ten feet in front of you. On my way home from work, I had stopped by the store to pick up a few things. While I was in line to check out, I noticed a man in the check out line next to me wearing a back pack. Once I got back to my car, I noticed the man again with another man trying to put all of the bags of food into his back pack. Several bags would not fit in the back pack. It became obvious to me that the two of them had to walk home. Without hesitation and without knowing how far away they lived or even who they were, I offered them a ride home. I love to help others but often I won’t out of fear.

  5. I’m actually helping Amish Author Sicily Yoder by sending gloves and books to her so that she can take them to the homeless shelter she visits.

    It is a wonderful feeling to do acts of kindness.

  6. I just read your article and bless your heart for stopping. I was once a mechanic in the military and I like to try and help folks stranded too. In fact, I browsed your site and found it lovely. My grandmother was Amish and married Englisher too. I didn’t get to know her since she died when I was two years old, but sure would have loved to have gotten some of her Amish recipes. I live in Michigan. I found your site since I was looking at different modest wedding dresses for my twenty-fifth anniversary. My husband and I are Seventh-Day Adventist and plan on having a vow renewal with a potluck. I have four years to plan it so checking things out for now.

  7. Helping our neighbor is so rewarding and what God wants us to do. With all the snow we’ve had here in central Illinois different neighbors has assisted me in shoveling my driveway and I’ve assisted others also. It’s a great feeling to do something for others even if you do not know them. Even a cup of cold water is rewarded by our Lord when we do an act of kindness with the right spirit and attitude to bring glory to Him!

  8. I just want to thank you for the pleasure you have given to me in your Amish novels. I have read many of your stories, but I must say the series I just finished has to be the most heart warming I have read. The Lancaster County Saga is a beautiful story. It was one that was hard to put down. I couldn’t wait to see how it would end. Although I was sure of the ending, it was very exciting to learn how Luke received his memory. The Bailey family was a nice example of how Christian families reach out to those in need. I can only hope if the occasion ever came to me, that I would be willing to do the same. It is more of a pleasure to GIVE than to receive.
    I live within 15 miles of an Amish community in Missouri. I enjoy driving through it and visiting in the stores. They are always so nice to talk with. I have also enjoyed a meal in one of the homes and look forward to doing it again this summer.
    Please continue to write your great novels for all your followers to enjoy.
    May God Bless You.
    Sandra

  9. Can I simply say what a comfort to uncover someone
    that genuinely knows what they are talking about over
    the internet. You actually know how to bring a problem to light
    and make it important. A lot more people have to read this and understand this side of the story.
    It’s surprising you aren’t more popular because you most
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  10. Volunteering @ our local Salvation Army Corp, I come across many,many people in need.
    Just listening to their story can put you in a different perspective with our every day lives.
    I ask God to help me to have a caring heart either when I am on the phones or in person.
    And it surprises me every time, with what ever I can give back, that God gave me to share .

  11. I help a neighbor in her late 60’s. She walks with a walker and mostly in a wheelchair in her home. She is unable to get her mail and newspaper because of using the walker and her driveway is steep. I also help with her recycle (everyday), trash and help take care of her dog whenever she isn’t home due to being in the hospital or doctor appointments. I am glad I am able to help her and I feel good after I do. I know that she appreciates my help. I like helping people whenever I can. I also want you to know how much I enjoy reading your books. I get totally loss when reading. In everyone of your books there is meaning. Thank you please continue writing and God Bless You.