You belong here.

When we talk about communities, we seldom discuss the margins. But for every person nestled comfortably in the bosom of a community, there is someone else on the outskirts, feeling ambivalent. Ambiguous. Excluded. Unwilling or unable to come more fully into the fold. –Adam Mansbach


My husband and I are part of a group with common goals, and presumably a similar commitment to reaching those goals. We meet once a week to share successes and less-than-successful weeks. Usually, we come away invigorated, affirmed and ready to go.

But last week was different.

Last week, at one point, the group leader made a statement. (I’m paraphrasing here, to protect the folks involved.)

If you don’t do exactly this, then you don’t belong in this group.

Immediately, my mind left the meeting and I wondered how often we, as the church, say similar things without thinking about it.

Baptized (or not) as an infant? Not in our church! Don’t believe the world was created in seven days? >Gasp< Noah’s ark story—literal (or not)? Many churches use such criteria (and worse) to decide who’s in and who’s out. But Jesus wasn’t big on leaving people out. Period.

Come. Listen. Ask questions. Even tough ones. God wants you—and that’s all that matters. You belong here. With the rest of us questioning, doubting, listening children of God. You are welcome here.


Monday In today’s world, we remember the stories of Jesus’ birth by reading them again. Imagine not having the written word. What story would you learn to tell every year to your children or grandchildren? Isaiah 9:2-7

Tuesday Stop and consider someone to whom you are a light that shines. Today is a good day for a random act of kindness. (So is tomorrow!) Galatians 5:22-23

Wednesday Stand before a mirror and remind yourself to whom you belong. Listen for the whisper in your heart. Reminding you that you are God’s highly favored one.
1 Corinthians 13:11-12
Thursday God’s euangelion, or good news, came to those in life’s margins, the poverty pockets of Jerusalem. Where do you see God’s hand at work in your community? Luke 2:8-14

Friday Think today about how you pray-- not the words, but your attitude. Try something a little different. Consider journaling the experience. Ecclesiastes 9:10

Saturday As we draw closer to Christmas, life can become even more hectic. Pause. Do nothing. Rest. Allow the joy to return to your spirit. Matthew11:28-30

Sunday We have a tremendously gifted Music & Arts team! Thank God today for their talents and willingness to share, not for their own glory, but to the glory of God. Psalm 108:1-5


By building relations we create a source of love and personal pride and belonging that makes living in a chaotic world easier. –Susan Lieberman

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Stepping back. . . .

Image
Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and with a calm spirit.  Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever,  even if your whole world seems upset.  –St. Francis de Sales This week, I invite you to simply sit in a quiet space with words of hope and promise, and to remember, as Julian of Norwich knew, that all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well . It has been a long, difficult season. Advent and the coming of the Christ is just around the corner. Peace and comfort to your spirit. Monday   “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” Matthew 11:28-30 Tuesday  “Is this not the kind of fast I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” Isaiah 58:6-9 Wednesday  “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the
Read more

It's that time again. . . .

When the seasons shift, even the subtle beginning, the scent of a promised changed, I feel something stir inside me. Hopefulness? Gratitude? Openness?  Whatever it is,  it’s welcome. –Kristin Armstrong No matter what part of the world you call home, this time of year brings big changes. While my friends Down Under are watching sings of new growth emerge from the earth as temperatures rise, here in Ohio, the leaves are turning from green to gold and orange, red and brown. The winds have taken on a chill; clouds hang heavy, like soggy cotton, reminding us that soon and very soon, we are going to see the snow . Always different, yet somehow, the same. We depend on God’s eternal ways, and trust that again this year, winter will follow autumn, just like it should. So why is it, as we anticipate and appreciate changes like these, when it comes to so many things in life we pull up short, wrinkle our noses and say No! No change! I like things just the way they are! It’s t
Read more

Starting again

“This, then, is how you should pray:" --Matthew 6:9a I have been really sensing lately that there is another blog inside me, one focused on prayer.  Oh, I know-- those elephants are all about prayer. Heck, they  are  prayer. And I will continue there, as well. But what I've been feeling is that people-- maybe you--  have always been told, "You should pray," or "Pray about that." But maybe you feel your prayers aren't "good enough," or that it's just too hard, too embarrassing, too [fill in the blank] to pray. Maybe it feels like no one really talks about how  to pray-- except, of course, for Jesus, in Matthew 6 and a couple parallel passages where we are given what's come to be known as The Lord's Prayer. And it is a great prayer. And there are other great prayers, and other ways to pray that do not involve rote. So "my plan" here is to share, hopefully on a weekly or semi-regular basis, a lot of
Read more