How to Love Our Neighbors (While Sheltering in Place)

Friends, these are challenging days. The Coronavirus continues to ravage every corner of the globe, and as you read this many of us are entering our third week of Shelter-at-Home status. It’s unclear when this will end, or what our lives will look like when it’s over.

As Christians, our primary concern is never our own safety or rights. Followers of Jesus have always known that becoming a disciple meant leaving our lives behind. Now, we live to serve our King and His Kingdom—and that means loving our neighbors sacrificially, whether they be friends, strangers, or enemies.

What does this love look like during a Shelter-in-Place order? Most of our standard neighbor-loving activities do more harm than good these days: it’s ironically unloving to gather people together for service or fellowship, to knock on doors for a friendly visit.

So while our options are limited (or at least, confusing) the needs couldn’t be higher. Right now, almost everyone around the globe is living in a heightened state of anxiety. Some are currently ill; some have already lost loved ones. Many, many have lost businesses, jobs, or paychecks. Thousands have compromised immune systems that make them especially susceptible. Others work jobs that don’t allow them to shelter at home, placing them at greatest risk. Many more feel trapped at home with abusers or violent family members.

We can’t solve any of these problems on our own, and there are no easy answers. But we serve a God who suffers with His people and acts out of compassion. There is no time like now to show our children that God’s people are agents of love and healing in the world. This is why the church exists in the first place: God has blessed us to be a blessing to all people, to bring the justice and beauty of His Kingdom here.

Assuming you’re already heroically washing hands, disinfecting surfaces, and social distancing, here are a few more neighbor-loving ideas for you and your kids to try:

Create a Friendly Environment. Use sidewalk chalk to leave messages for walkers. Or hang signs on your windows. We could all use an encouraging word these days. Don’t let anyone pass by without knowing they are loved.

Make a Call. Almost everyone feels isolated right now. Make a list of people who could use a check-in. Then, check in! Think especially of those who live alone. Thanks to technology, you can even see their faces and make eye contact. We all need to hear the words “I care about you. You matter to me.” While you have them on the line, ask them what they need, and see if it’s something you can solve without close contact.

Watch Your Words. Be careful what you post on social media. Is it true? Is it helpful? These are the standards we’re called to, yet we easily fall prey to sharing fear-inducing conspiracy theories or hateful, harmful rhetoric.

Speedy Delivery! If you go to the store, call a few folks with vulnerable health situations and see what you can pick up. Use careful hygiene and arrange a drop-off that doesn’t compromise their safety. (This works if you’re doing carryout from a restaurant or ordering from a delivery service too! Or spring flowers!)

Chat from the Street. Go for a walk and text the folks on your route to come and chat with you out their window or from the porch as you pass. Or better yet … .

Go Caroling. Don’t ring the bell or ask for hot chocolate, of course; but why not wander around the neighborhoods singing songs outside houses? Could you do the same around the outside of a retirement or nursing home?

Say Thank You. Grocery store employees, healthcare workers, city officers and more—these folks are working hard to keep us alive and risking their own health and family to do so. When you see them, look them in the eye and say, “Thank you.”

Sew Masks for Healthcare Workers. Fabric lovers around the country have found a practical way to make a big difference from home: sewing reusable masks for hospitals and nursing homes. You can find more information on what is needed here.

Join Forces. Some churches and communities have projects already underway, such as this group setting up handwashing stations for the homeless. What needs have you seen? What project could you join …or launch?

Donate. Call your local food bank or community service organization and see where the needs are and how you can help.

Educate Yourself. Some in your community have already been laid off. Others don’t have access to healthcare; many aren’t offered paid time off even for major illness. Some work in low-wage jobs and face eviction or destitution after only one missed day of work. We often avoid looking at these situations. But right now the vulnerabilities in our society are unusually visible. Take a hard look at the suffering you see and the injustice behind it; when this crisis is over, how can our policies create a more compassionate and just community for everyone?

Pray. This is our first, middle, and last response. Not only does prayer engage the heart of our compassionate God; it cultivates compassion in our own hearts (and our children’s). Pray and pray and pray again. Say your prayers. Sing your prayers. Dance your prayers. Paint your prayers. Then, repeat.

Share Your Ideas! Loving one’s neighbor well is specific to each neighbor, community, time, and place—and we’d love to hear what that looks like with your specific needs and resources. How are you discipling your children in the ways of God’s sacrificial love? What creative ways have you found to share with those who need help in this crisis?

We can’t wait to hear from you! In the meantime, stay home … and love your neighbors.