Welcome from the heart

From the book Heart Talk author Cleo Wade says this about the heart of welcome…

“We are here to connect, not compare. There is a reason we are not in this world alone. It is because we are all connected and need each other to function peacefully, purposefully and powerfully. We cannot know happiness or our true power if we are constantly in a state of comparison and competition. ..Connection rejects the idea of competing for any one thing and runs, instead, on gratitude and abundance, which weave us more deeply into each other’s lives so that we may better support one another in the world. Connection knows that everything we accomplish in life is much more fulfilling when we help others along the way.”

Her words make me wonder, can actions of welcome be the glue of building connection between people? What would be possible if we truly welcome one another - from the heart?

One of the most extreme experiences of heart welcome I've been in the receiving end happened in an unlikely place - an airport. You may be able to understand the experience of delays in travel. I was in route home east and due to malfunction of planes and an overwhelming number of travelers all heading in the same direction, I found myself wandering the airport terminal trying to find a seat on a flight, any flight, that could get me closer to home.

As I walked from gate to gate, I noticed another woman - doing the same thing as me; trying all the flights to expedite her travel home. Eventually, she and I sat down next to one another, at the gate we were first reserved for , finding out that we had not succeeded in getting on any other flights.

Like it or not, we were going to be waiting at least 4 hours for the next possible flight east.

We tried to make polite conversation. We tried to patiently flip through our magazines or books. But after a few minutes she looked at me hopefully and said, "Are you hungry?" I was,and agreed that the wait would be better on a full stomach. With delight, she hopped up from her plastic seat and said, "I've got a plan - come with me!"

She led me down the terminal with child-like joy and when we got to the "Club" doors, she said "Follow my lead!" She took out her pass and the staff let her in the door. They asked me for my pass and all I could say was, "I don't have one." and I started to turn back toward the uncomfortable row of plastic seats calling me back to reality.

This woman took my hand, winked at the staff at the door and said, "We are traveling together, she is with me." The person at the door was convinced and let me into the "Club". Inside were complimentary all you can eat food, snacks, drinks AND WIFI that actually worked! With the welcoming action of this woman, I was moved from a place of isolation - to a place of belonging. The welcome of her heart - instead of competition for a seat on the next flight home - became the path for her compassion to make a lasting impact on me.

Its been years since this welcoming experience took place, but I remember this woman's joy in sharing what she had with me. I think it is a true fact that welcome from the heart makes room for everyone to be a part of the club.

Welcome the the club humans.
There is room for everyone here.

Sunny and rainy day friends

There are two kinds of friends in the world: Sunny day friends and rainy day friends. This is a statement that my Mom used to remind me of when I was in the midst of drama or conflict with one school friend of another. There are lots of people that we define as friends, but they are really acquaintances. Two men were out hunting in the northern U.S. Suddenly one yelled and the other looked up to see a grizzly charging them. The first started to frantically put on his tennis shoes and his friend anxiously asked, "What are you doing? Don't you know you can't outrun a grizzly bear?" "I don't have to outrun a grizzly. I just have to outrun you!" This story is funny, but it does help define the distinct difference between a rainy day friend and a sunny day friend. The sunny-day-friend is more concerned with watching out for their own health and wellness, than their friends' wellbeing. On the other hand, a rainy day friend is willing to take risks, work fo

FCE - Dog stroke in spine

Kahlúa is our 15 year old dog that we adopted from the Humane Society when she was four. She joined our family and has been with us for eleven years so far. This morning we found her laying on the carpet in the dining room and was unable to get up and go outside. After letting her rest for a few hours, I gave her some bread to eat and she got up. She was wobbly so I scooped her up and took her outside to go to the bathroom. She managed to remain standing for a few minutes, but was back down quickly. Her back legs did not want to support her even though she was trying to walk. By this point, she had begin to cry so I called the vet and they said to bring her in for an evaluation. My kids and I tearfully wrapped her up in a blanket and drove to the vet. It seemed as if we were sitting in the waiting room forever. The vet told me that her heart, eye function, and lungs were great - also taking into consideration her age of 15! The problem seemed to be FCE - firocartilanginous embolism: w

Gifts we have to give

So often people will think of the areas of life that they fall short or what may need some improvement. I think there is some wisdom in knowing where we need some work as humans, but I also feel it is equally important to learn, foster and use the gifts each one of us are instilled with. So here is the challenge or question that I'd like to present: "What gift(s) has God given to you that can be used in the care and ministry of loving others?" How have you seen that gift used in the past? How would you like to use it? If you dream big and I dream big together - how could God work in that big pool of gifts in the lives of others??? Let's share our gifts today and dream of what they can accomplish for God's purpose! 1 Peter 4:8-10 (New International Version) 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,

Uphill idealist

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