A Sweet Invitation

A Sweet Invitation

I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.

Matthew 25:35

Growing up, I was very quiet and reserved. I didn’t make friends easily, and I often found myself happiest when I could observe from the sidelines before joining in on a group activity. While I’ve learned to act extroverted and be outgoing in business situations, the default in my personal life is still to feel slightly uncomfortable when meeting new people for the first time.

My husband, on the other hand, is a true extrovert. There is no difference between Aaron’s work persona and his private persona, especially when it comes to meeting new people. I’ve heard childhood tales of his fearless befriending that make me, and everyone else in the room, chuckle when we realize that the warm, mischievous sparkle in his eyes has always been there and that he was clearly an outgoing, precocious little boy.

As houses have sold and new people have moved into our neighborhood these past few years, Aaron has taken on the role of the Fisk family greeter, despite the gender stereotypes that put that duty into my column. Shortly after someone new moves in, you’ll find him in the kitchen whipping up a box of brownies (adding several extra cups of chocolate and peanut-butter chips, just for good measure) and then wandering across the street with the still-warm brownies in hand to meet the new neighbors. He’ll be gone for fifteen minutes or so before ambling home with names, backgrounds, and all the details of whomever has just moved in.

My husband’s gift of brownies and introduction continually sets the stage for us to extend further invitations into our home and into our lives. With the ice broken and a few details already exchanged, I find it easy to then pick up where he left off.

Regardless of whether we struggle or find it easy to take that first step, we are specifically called to show hospitality to strangers by sharing food and inviting them into our homes and our lives. That first step of turning a stranger into an acquaintance—who may someday become a friend—is often the hardest, and yet that is what Scripture encourages us to do.

—Julie

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Set up your own ritual for welcoming new neighbors into your neighborhood.