Invited In

Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

“Good morning!” my neighbor Polly called out as she carefully picked her way down her driveway, then stopped to wait for me.

“Good morning!” I echoed, making my way toward her. Together, we finished the walk to Debbie’s home, where she opened the door and invited us in for our annual brunch.

Inside, neighbors greeted one another warmly as they chatted in the kitchen and living room.

Nearly every year since we’ve lived in our current home, Debbie has organized a Secret Santa gift exchange for the women in our immediate neighborhood. We spend Monday through Friday of that week surreptitiously dropping small gifts on porches and steps, sneaking over in the early morning, noon, or night—whenever we think we’re least likely to get caught. Sometimes we even enlist the neighborhood kids to act as our messengers. Then, on Saturday, each of us brings a wrapped gift and a dish to share for brunch.

Although I often see my neighbors outside shoveling snow, walking their dogs, or picking up their mail, it’s rare to have an in-depth visit in the winter. The Secret Santa brunch is the perfect time for us to catch up on what the last year has brought to each of us and to express gratitude for our quiet community.

Debbie’s first invitation was a thoughtful, welcoming introduction to the neighborhood. Being invited in—whether into a community, church, group, or workplace—is always something to celebrate, but it’s also something we can initiate. During his earthly ministry, Jesus lived alongside his disciples and constantly sought the company of others. No one was excluded from his loving, kind attention.

Sometimes we are tempted to wait for someone to invite us first because we fear rejection. The truth is that when we welcome others into our lives and homes, we demonstrate how we have been invited into fellowship with God. All are welcome; no one is left out. He invited us to be in community with him, and we are asked to extend that same invitation to others. When we find the courage to extend an invitation, we’ll often discover deep, loving community on the other side.

Kristin

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Invite a neighbor over for coffee or dinner.