Good morning! I got to thinking about the concept of "Welcome."
Have you ever seen a Welcome Mat? Where have we seen something like this?
Usually we’d see a mat like this outside the door to our home.
What would we use this for?
Well, for one thing, it is placed outside your door as a sign to let people know that they are welcome in our home.
There are many ways we do "Welcome" when folks are coming to visit.
We might clean the house; change sheet on the bed; or maybe make special food.
When I have people who come to visit my home, I want them to feel welcome.
I might make a special meal or ask them what they would most enjoy doing when they are visiting me.
I might offer them a drink of water, soda, juice or etc, or show them around my house.
If they have small children, I might prepare a special play area with toys they especially like.
I was raised to feel it is important to make people feel welcome when they visit my home!
Then the thought crossed my mind that many do not really think about this as they live their life and sit in church.
What about in our churches, God’s house?
Many among us forget that "Welcome!
Jesus said, "He who receives you receives me."
This verse is to show us if we do not welcome others into God’s house, it is the same as if we are refusing to welcome Jesus.
Many would not do that if they were to really think about it.
Just how they act to others they do not know or seem different to them is their chance to put out that "Welcome Mat" so to speak.
Sadly many years ago I was treated very badly by those that were in God's House and even outside within the community. They should not have done that.
It has taken me years to understand and forgive.
I can not control what others do to me but I will try to live by my beliefs.
So as I go through my life I look around and always extend my "Welcome Mat" and mean it!
My favorite prayer that helps me remember...
“Dear Father, help us to remember that when we welcome others to our house and Yours, it is the same as welcoming you.
Amen.”
Welcome & Have A Blessed Day!
Nana
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