Proverbs 3:29-30 NKJV

[29] Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he dwells by you for safety’s sake. [30] Do not strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.

When we moved into our current home, we didn't know anyone in our neighborhood. It didn't take long for the folks next door to introduce themselves. First impressions weren't too far off. They lived here for years and had a yard full of random (ahem) "stuff". They knew the old owners. The old owners didn't care about certain things the way we do.

Each week, we would notice the neighbor's debris land next to the road in front of our house. He had road frontage. Why would he clean his yard and put it in mine? Instead of applying Biblical principles and going to him directly, I would move the said debris in front of his house. Over time, he got the memo and quit using our yard as a dump site.

As someone who prides himself on Bible study, I completely missed the mark with this situation. They are my neighbors. I mistakenly assumed that my definition of common sense would be the default standard for neighborly courtesies. I was wrong. For something so silly, I lost an opportunity to extend grace and open a dialogue with the guy across the fence. I needed this reminder.