Simply, Come
Come. I love the welcoming sound and feel of, "Come for lunch." Or come for any excuse to get together. The more the news frightens, pummels, confuses or makes me want to throw up, the more I sense the need to come to Jesus. Then, to look for ways to come together with others. Not for the sake of uniformity, but for unity. And to listen to learn from each other.
Like Ruth Graham, when asked if she and Billy Graham, her husband, agreed on everything replied, "An old Scottsman told me that when two people agree on everything, one of them isn't necessary." There's nothing holy about hanging out with and loving only those who look, think, or act like I do. As my Baptist preacher Daddy used to say(but not from the pulpit), "That would be a "mell of a hess", if everyone thought, looked or acted as I do.
Isolation is never the answer. It feeds some of the worst instincts in me: fearing, judging, hiding, blaming. Add to that a sense of hopelessness. Not good. So I keep learning to balance reality with hope. And like I read somewhere, " If something seems too hard to do, then the first step isn't small enough."
But I also look for humor. And thankfully, my sister-in-love keeps me laughing. Recently she sent this tip, "Help your friend on a diet by replacing the light in their fridge with an air horn." Don't you wish she was your sister?!
So, back to small steps. And since it's Lent, the best step, for me, is to enter into this sacred season, by being still. To look and listen for ways Jesus is saying, " Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. "(Matthew 11:28) And consider who or what I'm following and where it's leading. Jesus said to two fishermen, "Come follow me..."(Matthew 4:19) And Simon (Peter) and Andrew left their nets and followed Jesus.
And so Lent is a good time to ask "what are my nets?" What do I need to leave behind to follow Jesus. Or to become more of what God intended for me. For you.
But the first step is simply, Come.
8 Comments
Come is such a lovely, welcoming word. During the many years Mike was a youth pastor, he always said that step one in getting teens interested in the gospel was simply inviting them to "Come and see." No commitment, no obligation, no expectations. Your words - so inclusive and welcoming to all - invite us to come sit by you every week. And I think you better take Chris up on that idea of an airhorn accessory for refrigerators before someone else patents it - I would buy one for sure!
Chris is a keeper, for sure. As for patenting the air horn, Chris found that quote somewhere else. I'm never sure where she finds these.
As for the power of COME, God only knows the good that could come from simply inviting someone to"Come for supper." Or to bring back Sunday "dinner" after morning Church services . And then to widen the welcome.
Thank you for all your reminders Jan, they come in a time of need for us all.
Me, too, dear Alyssa. Some days it feels overwhelming. So much hatred, lies, fear-mongering, and disruption. There's nothing ordinary about an ordinary day. Each day we're still here, we have another chance to LOVE, be kind, helpful, speak truth, act justly, show mercy, and all as acts of thanking God who is extraordinarily merciful and patient with us. Hope, kindness, love and gratitude are contagious. Keep on spreading more where you live and work, dear Alyssa.
Love your thoughts as much as I love you. Loved and learned from you for many years! Thank you, dear Jan, and “Come” anytime. Door and table open.
Precious sister, I'd recognize your writing anywhere. Thanks for adding laughter to my life for many years. My brother sure knew how to pick a wife. And although he didn't have me in mind, I couldn't have had a sister I loved more. You two know how to open your home and say, "Come on in." I can hardly wait to head south for my Carolina fix of family and feasts like Carolina bar -B(as in best)- que. Give my big, bad brother a hug.
So good Jan! Thank you for sharing. <3
Thank you for reading and responding, dear Wendy.