Have you ever stood in line at the grocery and been frustrated because the person in front of you doesn’t speak English well.  Perhaps you are in a hurry and they are struggling to make the transaction.  Or maybe, the growing number of signs in multiple languages just really causes your blood to boil.  If this has happened to you, I owe you an apology.

You see, I volunteer with a refugee resettlement organization and through it, I have met a friend named Jean.  Jean has been in America a little over a year and still struggles with her English.  ESL classes are not an option for her because she has three children under school age and classes with childcare aren’t an option because there are none within walking distance of her house.  Jean cannot drive because she doesn’t know enough English to pass a driving test and the family members that do drive are working long hours to support their family of 11.  So, if Jean is to learn English she will do through conversation with me.

I must confess, however, that all too often I let the busyness of life interfere with my taking the time to visit with Jean and converse with her so that she can practice her English.  I have confessed this misdeed to others, but often have been told, “You’re doing the best you can.  You can only do so much.”  But can I do more?

There is no choice but for me to do more.  Scripture compels it.  In fact, scripture says to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”   Jesus said this is the second greatest commandment – only after loving God with my heart, soul, mind and strength.  So if I want to live as Christ taught – if I love my neighbor as myself – what does that mean for me…for Jean?

I think God’s spirit is revealing that to me.  I think it means that Jean is more important than my shopping trips for nothing at Target; more important than putting up holiday decorations or repainting furniture in my house.  I think it means that Jean’s struggle to learn English is my struggle.  It is as much my concern as it is hers.  It means that I care that her adjustment here is hard and it means that I should care enough to make a difference.

I confess that Jean doesn’t speak better English because I have failed to love her as myself. 

So, the next time you hear someone speaking broken English or another language, pray for me.  Pray that I will know what it is to love my neighbor as myself and I will have the fortitude to put my knowledge into action.