Welcome

1 Peter 4:9-11

Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

In this day and time, when everyone is so busy, how often do we invite people to our home?  How are we with drop ends?  Do we really know our neighbors?  Much less feed them, watch their kids, mow their yards or possibly clean their homes.  And never mind the people that we don’t know!  Who has time?  Or is it …. Who makes time?

My husband and I moved around 3 years ago from an area that we had lived for the last 25 years, 19 years in the same home and 25 in the same church. I have to say that I am blessed for having an opportunity to REALLY know people.  I knew the people at my church, the people in my community and my neighbors. We’ve seen each other rejoice with new births, mourn over deaths and cry over relationship heartbreaks.  I’ll just say that “we lived life together”.

Then, we moved!  We moved to a new state, new home, new church, new jobs, new community, new everything!  But my desire to have what I had in my old home has remained steady.  It is taking a little time but I take nothing for granted.  I welcome you into my life with arms wide open.   I never know when the next person I meet may just be my best friend!  I never know when the next person I meet may just be someone who needs a best friend.   So…… “take nothing for granted, love each other as if your life depended on it, cook a meal and be generous with your blessings”.  Share God with the next person you meet. And God will be glorified.

Lord, I come to You with open arms.  I am so blessed!  I pray Lord that I will always make time for those around me.  I pray that You will give me the energy, the time, the resources and the words that are needed to reach out.  I thank You for being You!  Lord I pray for my family and friends.  I pray they will look beyond their walls to serve, to love, to give, to share and to help guide others to You.  Amen!