Should I continue to say good morning when my neighbor bluntly refuse to return the greeting?

Question

My neighbor and I had an difference of opinion on a matter a year ago...the problem was eventually solve.
My spouse and i will give her and her family greetings when ever it arises....... 'Good morning', 'Good evening'etc.....
Her spouse and kids greet my spouse and I when they are not in her presence, but she continually refuses to return the greeting come what may.....this has continued for an entire year now...

Tell me...would you continue to greet her due to christian values and respect?

Let me hear your views on this one!!!!

Answer 1

Sometimes its the little things that take extraordinary virtue. I guess its really frustrating because it keeps happening, or should I say not happening (she doesn't respond to you.)
If it were me I would pray for them everyday. It might be best to not say anything to your neighbor and see what reaction, if any, that brings.
You can't force her to respond, so I would pray for her.

Answer 2

I'm no Christian, but it seems to me that by not greeting her, you're allowing a property that bothers you to BECOME part of you.

I see the greeting as the polite thing to do, even if it's ignored. Should your neighbor ever decide to grow up (it's doubtful, but not completely unheard of), they will see that you hold no grudges and feel a little more invitation to let things go themselves.

If you want to take pride in who you are, you have to temper your personality with things to be proud about. You're taking the right stance by refusing to play childish games.

Answer 3

Yep, I would not try to get her into a converstation, but each time I saw her I would say "Good Morning" or "Good Evening" and leave it at that.

Do not stoop to her obvious ignorance.
One day I overheard a black girl remark to another about some third person who I didn't know, but she said
"damn, it don't cost nothin to speak".

Not said very eloquently, but nonetheless, well-said.
Sooner or later she will either say it back to you, which would be nice, or else she will do nothing, in which case you haven't lost anything, right?
And, if she's really a miserable person that you'd like to kick in the shin, well, just by you being so civil and polite, it would p.o. her more than anything! Keep saying it, thats my opinion. Nicely, never with sarcasm, you understand.

Answer 4

This person seems very bitter and unforgiving. Even if the matter was " resolved" there are still things there that indicate that there is no real forgiveness.
The Lord IN YOU forgives 70 times 7. He is long suffering and wants your forbearance to be known to all men.
Look at Phil 4 vs 4-7
" Let your forbearance be known to all men.. the Lord is near..
In nothing be anxious but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God..
And the peace of God which surpasses every man's understanding will GUARD your hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus

So sister:) the Lord is near.. he is available as forbearance IN you toward this neighbour.
The Lord in you will wear her down ..
Remember always.. we are reflectors of Jesus.. we express Him to men and women.

May the Lord's grace supply you always

sandy

ps.. there are some excellent footnotes under the word " forbearance" in this link. check it out:)
http://online.recoveryversion.org/FootNotes.asp?FNtsID=6123

Answer 5

I would continue to greet her out of respect for the fact that she's a human being. Perhaps you can't act out of love and forgiveness every time, but you can be willing to be made willing to forgive. I don't think the Creator expects any more of us than that at times.

Consider it a spiritual exercise, if nothing else. You're practicing the right way to treat those who use you badly.

Answer 6

You should definately continue to be kind to this woman, and know that you are being the bigger person. Some people have a hard time with grudges, even if in their hearts they know it is petty. If you continue to extend the olive branch, eventually she will come around. And if she never dies, you will know that you gave every opportunity to mend the fences. Good for you for being such a kind neighbor even in trying circumstances.

Answer 7

Good for you for being nice to her time and again. I would continue. Perhaps when her and her family are out, you could say 'good evening everyone, Sally, how are you tonight??' That'd hopefully help pull her somewhat out of the 'funk' she's in. Perhaps she's still embarassed or ashamed, and maybe you actually speaking to her directly with her family present, may help 'break the ice' a bit with her???

Answer 8

That's really a personal matter but maybe you should say something more to her than just "good morning". Perhaps you ought to ask her if she is still angry with you and see if something you can say, like an apology, might serve to make ammends between you two. After all, it is written:

Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

20 To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Answer 9

The Lord is pleased when we humble ourselves. These verses came to mind. I have to remind myself of these too bc the flesh doesn't want to be kind to that kind of behavior.
Pray about this too and give it to the Lord. Always put your armor of God on when leaving your house. The enemy is out there to steal our joy & kill our spirit.

Micah 6:8
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

John 15:18-19
18"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

Luke 6:27-28
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Answer 10

When you say Good Morning you are expressing your feelings and desire that your neighbor have a nice day - it reflects (hopefully) what you feel.

In that way you are expressing your true, logving self.

Whether the neighbor chooses to respond in kind it a reflection of who they are.

So if you can be sincere, keep on saying good morning.