A friend loveth at all times.
Proverbs 17:17

During one of our visits to Ohio, our Amish friend, Daniel, told us about a surprise anniversary party he and his wife had planned for some of their friends. As they gave us the details about the great lengths they’d gone to in order to keep the anniversary couple from finding out about the party, I was struck with the realization that a true friend goes the extra mile to do something special for someone they care about.

Another instance of friendship came to mind during the time we spent with some of our Amish friends in Pennsylvania. They actually gave up their bed and moved to the basement so we could have a room on the main floor.

One other time, some of our Amish friends in Indiana invited me to do a book signing in their home, and they invited their friends and relatives to come and meet us. We had an enjoyable evening as I signed books, visited, and ate refreshments.

The depth of friendship isn’t merely about spending time together or doing the right thing toward our friends. It’s about sacrifice and doing for others as we would have done to us. It’s about showing friends that we love them just as Christ loves us. Is there something special you can do for one of your friends today?

You shall love thy neighbor as thyself.
Romans 13:9

On one of our trips to Indiana, we were surprised to see 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 of our rental car 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 might do to help one of your neighbors this week?

I remember one day when I was browsing in a store owned by one of our Amish friends. My friend wasn’t in the store at the time, but two of her daughters were working there. I’d gone down to the basement of the store and found some second-hand dresses for sale. I picked out two that I particularly liked and took them to one of the young women to ask how much the dresses cost. “Nothing for you,” she said with a smile. “Mom would want you to have them.”

“Oh, no,” I insisted. “I must pay you something for them.”

She shook her head, took the dresses, and put them in a paper sack. “Take them, please.”

I was tempted to argue further, but I could see by the determined look on her face that she wanted me to have the dresses as a gift. So I smiled and said, “Thank you; I really appreciate this. Tell your mother I said thanks, too.”

As I left the store that day, I was struck with the realization that it’s sometimes easier to give than to receive. However, we miss many blessings if we don’t allow others to give us a gift. When others give to us, we need to be thankful. Believers in Christ have a responsibility to show kindness to others. We also have a responsibility to accept the kindness others show to us. Has someone shown you a kindness this week? What was your response?