Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Matthew 10: 40
Image via WikipediaWelcome.
Lord I love the word welcome.
You pour out Your gift of hospitality upon us for us to give to others.
While I find it is so much easier to grumble and complain, to get frustrated or discouraged, I ask that with Your divine empowerment, I serve with enthusiasm, cheerfulness, and diligence.
May I greet others joyfully with open arms.
May I smile sincerely and listen empathetically with an approachable heart
May my presence be like refreshing sip of water to a friend’s parched soul.
May I set others at ease and foster a sense of belonging.
May I be transparent so only You shine through.
May my heart and hands give without expectation.
May I make room for others in my time, space, and care.
May I erect bridges and form deep bonds in Christian love.
May I dispel loneliness and build community.
May I welcome others as I welcome You.
11 comments:
I love this. This list is truely the desire of my heart but I often let my tiredness and negativity take over. I'm going to copy this and keep it where I can look over it often. Thank you.
Yes, yes! May I do all of these things.
We just had guests, and I was thinking about all the preparations that went into that as I was reading. How often do I prepare my heart and my life the same way I prepare for visitors.
Thanks for this post.
Your comments reminded me how often I do let the preparations, anxieties and busyness of getting ready for guests drain me of energy to enjoy and welcome them. I lean too much on MY energy and not the Holy Spirit...mmmm, another lesson to learn and relearn...
I needed this reminder. My daughter, 7 year old grandson, and their dog have been staying with me until they close on their new house. I do come home from work a little grumbly some days, when the house is a shambles. I will remember to welcome them, (and all the neighborhood kids that have a new friend!) as if i was welcoming Jesus :)
This is the same reading, and similar thoughts on hospitality, that I enjoyed hearing at my friend Deidra's (Jumping Tandem) church this morning. The pastor, her husband, preached an awesome sermon on "radical hospitality" that just knocked my socks off. And you have driven the point home nicely with this piece, Jean -- thank you!
What a beautiful prayer! Thank you for sharing.
I needed this. Being a Benedictine oblate, hospitality is one of the charisms and I often fall short. Also a a church secretary, I need to be hospitable. Again I fall short. I need Jesus to help me and I need to ask for His help more instead of trying to do it all myself. Thanks for the reminder!
I continue to linger with the word Hospitality and think I will post on it one more time. Colleen reminded me of how important it is with the Benedictines and that lead me to review some reading. look for Tuesday post on this.
Jeanie, I must say the Lord has helped you do ALL those things. A great perspective on that verse, I really like it.
Beautiful prayer Jean. Funny enough, I always feel so welcome when I visit you here... :-)
Have a Blessed Day Dear Lady!
Hospitality is such an important part of my life . . .but I hadn't thought about Christ being hospitable to me.
Fondly,
Glenda
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