Hello Friday, I welcome you with open arms! Anyone else have a loooooonnnnnngggggg week? It just seemed to drag. It was a very up and down week for the Whalen household. Upside, T-man enjoyed his first Crusader's camp. At least we think he did. He isn't a very forthcoming kid. All we pretty much got out of him from 3 days worth, "we road a mechanical bull, played on the slip and slide, and it was fine." Try to interpret that. I know that our OK District Sunday School staff did an amazing job along with Bro. & Sis. Neill. Downside, we unfortunately lost our contract on the house we are trying to sell in Lee's Summit. God has brought us a long way and we have learned to be patient, just need the house to sell. Need a miracle!
So needless to say, we are very excited to get this Friday over with, but for more than one reason. We are headed to Kansas City to see family! I always enjoy going to my hometown and spending time with my folks, brother and his family. Get to soak up some sun by the pool, roast s'mores in the firepit, and play games. To top it off, we get to see many of our friends at church on Sunday. A great weekend ahead of us.
There is a story floating around on Facebook titled, "Why Jim and Pam won't come back to our church." If you haven't had a chance to read it, please take a moment. I shared it on my Facebook page. Very thought provoking. As many may know, my better half pastors a wonderful church with the most incredible people. It is smaller but growing! As I was reading that story, I had to be very transparent and ask myself, "have I ever been guilty of treating a visitor that way?!?!" We are all guilty of at one point or another I am sure. We all have our comfort zone that we talk to the same people or stay in the same section and not move. But think back on when you visited a church for the first time, were you dressed the "right way"? Did you have a "deer in headlights" look on your face because you weren't quite sure what was happening around you? Did someone come up to you and treat you as if they had known you forever and made you feel comfortable?
Being in a smaller church, it isn't that hard to make it around to everyone BUT it is also easier to get into deeper conversations with someone and forget about others around you. I make it a point to speak to everyone at service. Not patting myself on the back at all, it blesses me to see everyone's smiling face and to hear how their week has gone. Lately I haven't been able to speak to everyone at church which means we are growing! But, while that is a good problem to have, it is also a bad habit to get into.
I had a sweet new saint tell me one time that she doesn't want to feel judged at church with the way she dresses or looks. It broke my heart! God help us if a new soul ever feels like that in our churches. A church is supposed to be a safe place from the chaos of the world. A place to leave troubles at the altar and let God work on our lives. Not a place to be judged by the saints. Enough said on that........
Have a "comfort zone" mentality? I encourage you to step out of the box this Sunday and say hello to those visitors that may walk through the church doors. You never know what their stuggle may be. It will bless you more than you think!
Have a great weekend everyone!
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