Enter: Mr. Rogers or Robert Frost

One of our neighbors called last week to ask a favor. She was scheduled to have outpatient surgery, but her planned ride home had to cancel (a heart attack is a pretty good excuse). She asked if I could pick her up at 10:30 on Monday. Since I work from home and my schedule is flexible, it was not a problem. I arrived, as planned, at 10:30 a.m., expecting a short wait before driving the neighbor home.

I planned my menu for the week.

I hadn't done my daily Bible reading yet, and hadn't thought to bring my Bible, but there was a KJV Bible in the waiting room. Tried to read my three chapters and gave up after 10 verses, leaving it for when I got back home.

Talked on the phone for an hour with a friend.

Made a few lists.

Watched a surprisingly good kids' cartoon on Disney that cleverly includes classical music (but without a bunny or a duck).

3 hours later, I got home, after helping my (thirtysomething) neighbor into her house and making sure she was settled with everything she needed.

I'll admit, I was a little impatient about the delay, but I AM the Girl Scout Who Was Never A Girl Scout: I am always prepared. I'd brought paper to write on, books to read, and things to do, though I did forget a snack, which I usually also bring. I actually got several things done on my list of things to do that day, without the distractions of home (read: dog, Internet, laundry).

But I was doing something that not many people have the opportunity to do, and that, sadly, I have done rarely: Love my neighbor.

The church we attended in Florida has excellent evangelistic outreaches, which they describe as "loving your neighbor in a practical way." Providing free water bottles at the beach, as one church member builds a fantastically complex sand castle (he's won competitions). Washing the windshields of cars whose owners are attending the public elementary school graduation being held at the church. And other ideas that provide a forum for talking to people about Christ, while meeting their practical needs at the same time.

With our busy lives and culture of entertainment, it's easy to drive straight into the garage and close the door without ever saying hello to a neighbor. These days, the definition of neighbor is "stranger." But being a neighbor is more than just living next door to someone. It's sacrificing time for them, just as you would for a relative or a close friend. It's serving them without expecting anything in return. It's taking an interest in them, far beyond sizing up whether you can trust them or not to pick up your mail while you're on vacation.

The Bible doesn't provide a modern context when it instructs us to love our neighbor. But other passages point the way: Care for the widows and orphans. (Maintain the small backyard of the single mom next door, who lets the yard go because she has cancer.) Share with those in need. (Instead of selling things at a garage sale, set them out on the driveway with a "Free" sign, or join freecycle.org.) Practice hospitality. (Not just with the new people you meet at church, but also with new families who move into the neighborhood.)

This past week was the annual missions emphasis week at our church, to remind us of the lost all over the world and to support missionaries in their global work. It was also a reminder that I don't have to travel to another country to love and serve the lost. I can start with the neighbors on my street.