WELCOME ONE ANOTHER

Many of us, over the years, have been doing better at welcoming people into our homes. Because the Scriptures admonish us to practice hospitality, we have certainly tried.

How are we doing, though, at welcoming members of our immediate family into our homes? When summer or holidays approach and school is out, do we groan in dread of having everyone under foot or do we welcome our young ones home, seeing an opportunity to enjoy the days together? As a husband is laid off at work and is home all day, do we become irritable and voice our dissatisfaction thinking he is in “our space” all day, wishing he would just go away - at least to the garage?

Yes, we may be good at being hospitable to those who drop by just for a few hours or days, but let’s extend that God-pleasing hospitality to those in our own households. Let’s make them feel welcome!

Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Romans 15:7

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for being so inhospitable to the ones I love the most. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

WELCOME ONE ANOTHER

Once upon a time my family and I lived in a small town. It was more like a movie set. The quaint two-story houses lined the shady streets, lace curtains fluttered at the windows. The yards were neat and tidy, flowers blooming where they should. The one thing missing, we noticed, were the people. We never seemed to see the inhabitants of the town.

Two days before we were to move, we held a yard sale. One by one, townspeople stopped by. We even found some with whom we had much in common. It was too late, though, we were gone within two days.

Another house in which we lived, we had the opposite experience. On our first day there, we heard a tentative knock on the door. There stood a neighbor in her 80s, small and frail. In her outstretched hands were two cans of soup. On her lips were the words, “Welcome! I’m glad you are to be my neighbors.”

Oh, what a difference the two situations made in our lives. In one we felt alone and unwelcome, in the other, our hearts were warmed.

How do we greet those with whom we come in contact?

Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you to the glory of God. Romans 15:7

Heavenly Father, please put a smile on my lips as I extend even a friendly wave to those who may need to feel Your welcoming touch today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.