It's on the mat by the front door. It's in our smiles as you step across our threshold. In our arms opened wide to you. It's in the smell of fresh baked bread that permeates the house.
Welcome! We're so glad that you are here. So thankful that you want to be with us.
But... this kind of welcome is easy. You come to me and you will always find a safe place here.
What about when I have to come to you? When it is not so easy?
Will my welcome be the same when I have to go out of my way to reach out to you? What about when you clearly don't want anything to do with me?
Welcoming others cannot simply be on our terms- if we intend to live as Jesus did.
Because that one who has felt alienated by society? She is not going to feel comfortable coming to me- unless I make the steps to go to her.
Those children who are abandoned? They are not going to feel welcome in a church full of happy families that have everything (from their eyes). No we must go to them.
We are good at the welcome- when they come to us. Are we as good at the welcome when we go to them?
For the first time ever, I was done in 4 minutes with everything I wanted to say! So, there you have it- my four minutes on the subject "welcome", with minimal editing and large cheers for all of the 5 minute Friday contributors. You're welcome to join in too! :)
Becky, LOVE IT! And what a great point. Welcoming is not just an action to take when others come to us, but just as important is welcome, really welcome others when we go to them. Welcoming is an attitude, right. Thank you Jesus girl! Good to read encouragement from a sister!
ReplyDeleteSuch good questions to ask ourselves, and I agree with you. Much easier to welcome them into our comfortable place, but how important to reach out into their places. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAmazing! Have you been reading 7, too. Lots of thoughts like this rolling around in my noggin.
ReplyDeleteNo, I haven't- I plan to some day. It's on my list along with Radical and the Hole in the gospel!
DeleteNo, I've been reading through Luke and continue to be amazed at how Jesus lived. I want to live like that too!
I love your welcoming spirit. Just LOVE it. I'm stopping by from Five Minute Fridays. Thank you also for visiting my little home on the internet!
ReplyDeleteI believe that you made stunning resolution the moment when you choose this theme of this article of yours over here. Do you generally write your posts by yourself or maybe you work with a writing partner or a helper?
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