by Bert Rider

Created on: August 21, 2009   Last Updated: September 01, 2009

Jesus stated that all of the other commandments could be summed up into one, "love your neighbor as yourself." What exactly does this mean and what is Jesus referring to? Loving your neighbor as yourself is finding value in that person and appreciating what he or she has to offer. It's loving the idiosyncrasies that exist and accepting them for who they are. It's finding value in someone when others may not.

Several years ago, I was a volunteer coordinator. And, I have always believed that volunteers are most happy when they feel that they have made a difference and when their efforts are worthwhile. On this particular occasion, I was in charge of getting volunteers for a childcare we were providing for young children, birth through kindergarten. I had teenagers, college students, adults and retirees helping with this venture. I was trying to ensure that everyone was placed where they could be used the most and yet still felt they were making a difference. With all of these volunteers helping, there was one more volunteer that wanted to share her gift, Ms. Mary.

Ms. Mary was in her 80's and blind. She lived in a small home and her son checked on her everyday to make sure she was alright. To the world, Ms. Mary was well past her prime. She was elderly, disabled and did not get out into the community unless her children or grandchildren took her. To many, she did not have anything to offer and it was too time-consuming to get to know her or be with her. So, she was seen by many as a neighbor that was hard to love. However, Ms. Mary had a gift, she loved babies. And, she would do nearly anything to help one of God's smallest creations. Knowing this, I knew Ms. Mary would love to volunteer with our childcare. So, I simply asked her what she would like to do. And she said, "Sweetie, I know I can't do much because of my age and my eyesight, but I have a good washer and dryer and I know those babies need a clean place to sleep. So, if you don't mind, I would love to wash the crib sheets each day." And, that's exactly what Ms. Mary did!

I would take the soiled crib sheets to her house each afternoon and visit with Ms. Mary for a little while. And every morning, not matter how early, those sheets were cleaned, folded and placed in a plastic bag on her porch for me to pick up. I did this every day and, I loved to see the look on Ms. Mary's face when I told her of the babies that had been brought in and how they slept on those blessed sheets she had cleaned especially for them. She was thrilled to know that she could help and that she was taking care of those babies, even though she couldn't physically be with them. Ms. Mary was being a neighbor to those children and loving them the only way she could. And, they were feeling that love every time they laid their heads on those soft, clean sheets.

That has been several years ago and since then; I've lost touch with Ms. Mary. But, I have never forgotten her. Although the world may not have loved Ms. Mary as their neighbor, she still loved others as hers. She extended a loving heart and willingness to share what she had even in the most simplest way to ensure that sweet babies were cared for. She knew what Jesus meant when He said, "love your neighbor as yourself." She loved others with genuineness and without bias. She loved despite being treated as unlovable herself. She loved with a simple, yet powerful joy that extended to everyone who has heard her story. Ms. Mary, a woman who saw everyone as her neighbor, even the youngest ones.

Learn more about this author, Bert Rider.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.