A Lenten Devotion by Peggy Harrison
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Romans 12:12
In 2008, a few months after my husband died, I decided it was time to find a new church. I was having trouble with sadness when I attended the church my husband and I went to (and it was 50 miles from my home so I really couldn’t be involved). So, I started attending Holy Covenant, a UCC church in Charlotte, NC, where I lived. I was quite shy about meeting new people so I talked my daughter into attending with me the first time. The second time I attended, not wanting to stay for fellowship, I sneaked out the side door but was run down by one of the members who introduced herself and welcomed me. After attending a few more times, always sitting in the same pew, a young girl around the age of 8 sat next to me and introduced herself. She was Elena Griffin. We chatted a little and after the service she said, “I want you to meet my Grandmother”. Her grandmother’s name was Kathleen Wagner and we are still friends today. The Pastor was also a warm and welcoming person and, like Debbie, she invited me to come by and chat and set a date and time (not just an idle invitation). All this to say, I will never forget that welcome which spanned all generations.
Loving God, help us to always remember to welcome the stranger in our midst, no matter how old we are. Amen