loving the neighbor

As I checked for damage on my car, my neighbor came up and asked if I was okay. I said “yes” and then asked if he by chance knew what I had just hit. All I heard was a loud thump and it was really dark.

He sighed deeply, looked at the ground for several seconds, and then forced out the words: “My dog.”

An image of my dog, Samantha, flashed through my mind. Sam was in the house, safe and sound, but his dog was dead in the middle of the street.

“I am sooo sorry.”

Still looking at the ground, he said some of the most beautiful words I have ever heard. Words that still mean a lot to me.

“That’s okay—you were just driving.”

Translated, it’s not my fault. Even though I killed his dog, he knew it was dark and I didn’t mean it. He didn’t say it, but I interpreted his response as forgiving me for the horrible thing I had just done.

I kept talking for a minute or so. Not sure what I said, other than offering several more apologies.

Overcome with grief, the man never said another word. Finally, knowing I was okay, he turned and walked away. Now he had the grisly task of taking care of the remains of his beloved pet.

I will never forget that night. Ever. And there are so many reasons why.

First, my stomach tightens up at how painful it is to lose a long-time pet. Even though that accident happened a few years ago, if my neighbor’s like me, remembering that evening no doubt still hurts.

Second, it amazes me—amazes me—that the man witnessed the death of his dog, but immediately came over to check to see how I was doing. Despite being overcome with grief, he came to check on the person who just killed his dog. Wow.

Third, he forgave me. He knew it was dark and I didn’t intend to do it, and he made sure I knew there were no hard feelings. Perhaps he somehow knew that if he hadn’t said those words—“That’s okay—you were just driving”—I’d still be beating myself up.

As I reflect on my neighbor’s incredibly gracious reaction, I can’t help but think of something Jesus said.

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”1

Now I know what Jesus meant. I’ve seen it an action.

My neighbor, whom I barely know, loved me that night. Despite being heart-broken over the death of his dog, he was concerned about my health. Not only that, he made a point of letting me know he didn’t blame me. He forgave me.

So that’s what loving your neighbor looks like.

He paid a big price to teach me a lesson in how to treat other people. Because of that, I’m determined to be more like my neighbor in my life.

Will you join me?

 “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

1  Matthew 22:39