I remember those first days of every new school year when I was a little guy: With excitement I put on my new clothes mom had bought for me (I had laid them out on the floor the night before, complete with my socks tucked into the bottom of my pants and going into my shoes), made my lunch (I was too lazy to make much more than a yogurt and an apple; I could mooch junk food from the girls), loaded up my backpack (having made sure it was well-equipped with razor-sharpened pencils and action figures) and walked to my school. But on the way I remember being filled with a mixture of excitement and fear at what was going to happen…how would the year go? Would I fit in?
All of that changed the moment I walked into my first grade class and met my teacher, Mrs. Edwards. In my mind I can’t remember at all what she looked like, but I remember liking her very much. She was warm, friendly and welcoming. Though I had good friends with whom to play “Six Million Dollar Man” and tease the girls, what really made First Grade special was Mrs. Edwards.
Though I’m not usually that worked up about this stuff anymore, I still feel that way to some degree whenever I enter into an unfamiliar new community. Perhaps you know what I’m talking about? It’s natural for us to want to make a good impression, to be thought of as someone who has something useful to bring to the table. In short, we want to fit in; we want to be liked.
In the community of Garland Church we’re constantly being visited by new people. Though I hope none of them intends to mooch a Twinkie or a Ho-Ho from your lunch, they are asking these very kinds of questions: What do I think about these people? How well will I fit in? Are they genuine? Do these people really live out what they so glowingly say matters to them? Do they notice me?
I want to remind you that our Christian faith is centered on Jesus Christ, one who put behind the comforts of his loving interrelationship with the Father and the Spirit to focus on the other...you and I. Of course he didn’t actually leave those Trinitarian relationships, but because of his love, he held hands with us through his Incarnation.
As you wander about on a Sunday morning or any other time we gather and wherever that may be, remember the example of Christ and reach out to the newcomer. Seek to welcome them to yourself and our community with the hospitality of an open heart. In short,
Be a Mrs. Edwards…
Lookin’ Up, Pastarod
All of that changed the moment I walked into my first grade class and met my teacher, Mrs. Edwards. In my mind I can’t remember at all what she looked like, but I remember liking her very much. She was warm, friendly and welcoming. Though I had good friends with whom to play “Six Million Dollar Man” and tease the girls, what really made First Grade special was Mrs. Edwards.
Though I’m not usually that worked up about this stuff anymore, I still feel that way to some degree whenever I enter into an unfamiliar new community. Perhaps you know what I’m talking about? It’s natural for us to want to make a good impression, to be thought of as someone who has something useful to bring to the table. In short, we want to fit in; we want to be liked.
In the community of Garland Church we’re constantly being visited by new people. Though I hope none of them intends to mooch a Twinkie or a Ho-Ho from your lunch, they are asking these very kinds of questions: What do I think about these people? How well will I fit in? Are they genuine? Do these people really live out what they so glowingly say matters to them? Do they notice me?
I want to remind you that our Christian faith is centered on Jesus Christ, one who put behind the comforts of his loving interrelationship with the Father and the Spirit to focus on the other...you and I. Of course he didn’t actually leave those Trinitarian relationships, but because of his love, he held hands with us through his Incarnation.
As you wander about on a Sunday morning or any other time we gather and wherever that may be, remember the example of Christ and reach out to the newcomer. Seek to welcome them to yourself and our community with the hospitality of an open heart. In short,
Be a Mrs. Edwards…
Lookin’ Up, Pastarod
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