Until Christmas Day, the daily devotionals will follow the church’s “Light The World” campaign. I would love to hear how you and your family are lighting the world each day!
“I was a stranger, and ye took me in.” (Matthew 25:35)
I am a pretty social person, but I still don’t always enjoy putting myself out there. I can get stuck in my little comfort zone and so busy with the chaos of life with 3 little boys and all that entails and it can be hard to reach out of my bubble. I love to meet new people, but I am much more comfortable being approached than I am approaching others. There have been a few times, however, when I have stretched myself and made that reach. Last year some new neighbors moved in next door. Typically I would wait until a chance encounter brought us together, or until they approached me, but this time I felt like I should be the one to reach out. It was not easy for me, but I went over, introduced myself, offered up my husband for moving heavy things and invited the new family over for dinner. Doing so has been a great blessing in my life. I made a dear friend and we have the kind of neighbor relationship you dream of – borrowing eggs and butter, watching each others houses when we are out of town, checking to be sure I closed my garage door when I have an attack of anxiety and mommy brain and leave the house in a frantic whirlwind, and just generally watching out for each other. I am so grateful I followed the nudge to stretch out of my comfort zone and make a new friend.
We are constantly presented with opportunities to “take in” a stranger, but we often let the opportunity pass by because it is uncomfortable or we assume someone else will take care of it. May we face our fears and act on those impulses to reach out to our fellow man. Be brave, my friend. It will be worth it. And people aren’t as scary as we make them out to be in our heads.
Meditation/Journaling Prompt: How is your family taking in the stranger today?
