welcome

When we were in Ireland, some of our hosts shared with us a beautiful tradition of greeting others with “You’re welcome.” Not spoken as is commonly known to me as a response to “Thank you”, but the initiation of first words as an extension of welcoming invitation. It can be spoken even almost as a blessing over someone, to let them know that they are wanted, invited in to experience hospitality, grace and love.

A spirit of welcome reaches out first to engage another. Having created a haven, we go out and invite others in. Welcome lets another know that they are seen, heard and have a place in our space.

Welcoming others doesn’t simply mean that they are allowed to enter our space. This is really just a sham of welcome leaving someone else to take the risk and be the vulnerable one in initiating.

By creating the space and being the one to go out and invite others in, we take the risk, we are the one vulnerable to rejection, we are the one placing our heart on the line.

Let’s not be people who delude ourselves into thinking that anyone is welcome in our midst simply because the door is unlocked and they can walk in if they want to. But let’s be those who go out into the streets inviting and even imploring others to come into a truly glorious feast that is prepared (Luke 14:15-24)! There is so much more available. So much more.

Please don’t settle for a sham of welcome thinking you’ve done your part. Let’s be the ones to take the risk and extend blessing. Won’t you please join?