Include

Another week, another blog topic voted on by my lovely followers over on Instagram. Make sure you follow me on there to help vote on blog topics & to see some behind the scenes of what it’s like to run this blog. 

So this week I wanted to talk about something that I feel like we’ve all dealt with that is wanting to be included & also to include others. A couple of months ago my family & I switched churches. It wasn’t an easy decision, but we felt that it was time & that we were following what God asked of us. Obviously, it was uncomfortable at first & being the new person you feel out of place because you don’t really know anyone & you’re trying to make new friends & it’s just kind of awkward. I’m not necessarily the type that minds being alone. I’ve dealt with long seasons of loneliness & at the time I hated them, but now I realize in some ways it was good for me. BUT even still when you’re at church, or a church event, or really any kind of event with a lot of people we all have this desire to want to be included. I’ve been able to make a few friends over the past few months during this transition & I’m now so much more aware of new people that come in & my goal is to always try & make them feel included, even though sometimes it’s awkward. As Christians, we may not like everyone or get along with everyone, but it doesn’t mean we should ever exclude them. I look at Jesus & how throughout His ministry He welcomed everyone, even the children who the disciples thought were probably an annoyance Jesus wanted them. So as someone who knows the feeling of wanting to be included I want to always do my best to include others. I want to be known as someone who has open arms to people from all walks of life. Jesus has invited us to the table, to be a part of His family & the least we can do is extend exactly what’s been extended to us. An invitation to be included, to be apart of a family, to be a part of something that says no, matter what’s happening in your life you’re welcome. So the challenge I want to put out is to be aware of including people in your life if you see someone standing alone go say hi. You never know how simple an act of including someone in something can change a person’s life.   

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Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Hebrews 13:2  

Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Romans 15:7 

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8 

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Love,