Reference Verse: “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” Mark 9:36-38
Our kids started school this week which has been the main highlight of the week. However, a couple days before the first official opening of the doors for the new school year there was an open house. This allowed the parents to meet the teachers, the kids could see their rooms, and they could drop off their school supplies.
As we visited the open house this year I couldn't help but be amazed at my son. He is just so open and willing to welcome people into his life with no regard to any of his challenges or what someone else may think of him. It is truly astonishing. Being new to town and new to the school he didn't know anybody in his class. But while we were putting his school supplies away another little boy came in the room. My son stopped what he was doing right then and there, walked over to the child, stuck out his hand and said, "Hi! Want to be best friends? I like baseball; I like the Twins and Joe Mauer. How about you?" Needless to say this caught the other little boy off guard a bit but that didn't bother my son. He just kept on talking and welcoming this child to the class.
The funny thing about that is that the other little boy was actually the son of a teacher there. More than likely that school building feels like a second home to him. But it was my son, the completely new student, who was welcoming him to the room. Hmmmm...interesting...
When you move to a new town there are several different things that you have to do for the first time. Some times you have to be the person on the outside looking in because nobody knows you and you don't know them. But if I had a little more of the gumption my son has that problem would be solved in a jiffy!
We were fortunate when we moved here. We found a church that has been so warm and friendly. So much so that on the first Sunday we attended many members of the congregation actually lined up to be able to shake our hands and welcome us. That was a unique experience. Not because I haven't seen it happen since, but because it was the only church where I have experienced something like that.
As the church body we shouldn't be waiting for visitors to come and make our acquaintance. We should be seeking them out and making them feel welcome. Even if it isn't done in a manner as bold as my son's method of introduction, it is better to let them know you have noticed them. A warm handshake, a friendly smile. and a joyful hello are much better then feeling ignored in the corner.
Our kids started school this week which has been the main highlight of the week. However, a couple days before the first official opening of the doors for the new school year there was an open house. This allowed the parents to meet the teachers, the kids could see their rooms, and they could drop off their school supplies.
As we visited the open house this year I couldn't help but be amazed at my son. He is just so open and willing to welcome people into his life with no regard to any of his challenges or what someone else may think of him. It is truly astonishing. Being new to town and new to the school he didn't know anybody in his class. But while we were putting his school supplies away another little boy came in the room. My son stopped what he was doing right then and there, walked over to the child, stuck out his hand and said, "Hi! Want to be best friends? I like baseball; I like the Twins and Joe Mauer. How about you?" Needless to say this caught the other little boy off guard a bit but that didn't bother my son. He just kept on talking and welcoming this child to the class.
The funny thing about that is that the other little boy was actually the son of a teacher there. More than likely that school building feels like a second home to him. But it was my son, the completely new student, who was welcoming him to the room. Hmmmm...interesting...
When you move to a new town there are several different things that you have to do for the first time. Some times you have to be the person on the outside looking in because nobody knows you and you don't know them. But if I had a little more of the gumption my son has that problem would be solved in a jiffy!
We were fortunate when we moved here. We found a church that has been so warm and friendly. So much so that on the first Sunday we attended many members of the congregation actually lined up to be able to shake our hands and welcome us. That was a unique experience. Not because I haven't seen it happen since, but because it was the only church where I have experienced something like that.
As the church body we shouldn't be waiting for visitors to come and make our acquaintance. We should be seeking them out and making them feel welcome. Even if it isn't done in a manner as bold as my son's method of introduction, it is better to let them know you have noticed them. A warm handshake, a friendly smile. and a joyful hello are much better then feeling ignored in the corner.