We have a new cat in our house. Well, he's new to us. He will be 12 in September. We are his fourth family. He's friendly, he's beautiful, he still has a bit of kitten-impishness in him. But he spent the first three days hiding under the bed. We almost never saw him, and when we did he was slinking along the edges of whatever room or hallway he was in. Eventually he would sit just outside of whatever room we were in, and once a day he would let one of us pick him up. He prefers Bruce. And Shadow, the current cat resident? He was not happy. He's still not completely happy. Bo, new kitty, sometimes sits in places Shadow feels are his places. When I put out food Shadow runs in, pushes Bo out of the way, and eats some of it. Just to prove he can. To make sure Bo knows who the Alpha Cat is. It's been quite a dance for the just over a week he's been here.
It got me to thinking about new people coming to church. It takes amazing courage to just walk through those doors for the first time. They don't know where to go, they don't know who might be friendly, they don't know where to sit that won't offend the person who usually sits there. They probably don't want to get too involved too quickly as they scope out the lay of the land. When they do finally begin to get involved someone always seems to be upset because they're stepping on toes or doing things differently from the way they've always been done. And the people who've been there often make sure they know that they will never be one of us. It's quite a challenge to give new people time to feel comfortable and space to assimilate. To not move too far too fast nor to leave them out in the field feeling like no one wants them there. How do we do this?
Loving God, there are so many people in the world who need to know of your love. Sometimes they come to us, sometimes we go to where they are. But our attitude in helping them to become a part of the church can make all the difference. Allow us to help them find the places where they can shine, where they can utilize the talents and abilities you have given them. Let us open our hearts and minds, and even be willing to move over so the new folks can find their place. Let us be instruments of your love.......Amen
It got me to thinking about new people coming to church. It takes amazing courage to just walk through those doors for the first time. They don't know where to go, they don't know who might be friendly, they don't know where to sit that won't offend the person who usually sits there. They probably don't want to get too involved too quickly as they scope out the lay of the land. When they do finally begin to get involved someone always seems to be upset because they're stepping on toes or doing things differently from the way they've always been done. And the people who've been there often make sure they know that they will never be one of us. It's quite a challenge to give new people time to feel comfortable and space to assimilate. To not move too far too fast nor to leave them out in the field feeling like no one wants them there. How do we do this?
Loving God, there are so many people in the world who need to know of your love. Sometimes they come to us, sometimes we go to where they are. But our attitude in helping them to become a part of the church can make all the difference. Allow us to help them find the places where they can shine, where they can utilize the talents and abilities you have given them. Let us open our hearts and minds, and even be willing to move over so the new folks can find their place. Let us be instruments of your love.......Amen
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