7 February | Teens
«You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. » Leviticus 19: 18
Loving your neighbor can be a challenge at times, can't it? God tells us in Leviticus, “You shall love your neighbor.” This means that we should think of others, not just ourselves. Think of when we want the biggest piece of cake or to play with our favorite toy. To love our neighbor is to learn to share these things, to be kind and to care for the people around us.
To love one's neighbor is also to try to understand how others feel. It's like stepping into someone else's shoes and walking around in them for a little bit. This helps us to be more understanding and less selfish. God wants us to stop navel-gazing, to be kinder and to take care of one another. After all, the Bible teaches us that we are all children of the same Heavenly Father, that is, we are brothers and sisters! Showing love for others is a way to spread God's love around us.
Take Action
Choose a toy that you like, but that you are ready to pass on, and give it to another child who would be very happy with it. Also, think of a way you can help someone this week. It can be something as simple as helping around the house, preparing some food (like a cake) and giving it to a neighbor, or being kind to a classmate at school. By doing so, you will be practicing love for others and spreading kindness around you.