Our Closest Neighbor

One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

—Matthew 22:35–39

The command to love is not just about the people who live next door. Your husband is the neighbor that’s never moving away, and lives right up in your business. Whatever neighborhoods you live in throughout your life, your spouse will always be your number one neighbor. Marriage is the most intimate, long-term relationship any of us will have. Aaron will spend more time, in his lifetime, with me, than any other person.

I’m starting to understand what a huge responsibility that is. I have the honor of affecting his life more than any other person. What I say to him and don’t say to him, what I do and don’t do, everything about how I live with him affects him more than any other person on earth will.

It makes me want to do so much better. Aaron’s my person, and I get to show him God’s great love every day. That’s an amazing opportunity. I get to show him how present God is when we need him, how quick to grace he is, and slow to anger. I get to demonstrate God’s love in Aaron’s life more than anyone else.