1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
I stayed in with the children and their teachers last night during our English and Spanish classes. Two cute sisters cry loudly (very loudly) each week when their mother leaves them to go to her class. After a bit they settle down and do well at their lessons and laugh and play. Another couple brought a baby and his sister who appeared to be about 3 years old. She was terrified. She stood near the teacher holding her brother but shook her hands and cried if anyone looked at her or made any move to get near her. It’s sad to have a child afraid of you. Her parents speak very little English so it is understandable that a child suddenly left in an alien environment with people who are not Hispanic and who are speaking a language she doesn’t understand would be afraid. I did what I could, speaking to her in Spanish and trying to show love. I think that sometimes newcomers at church may feel they are in an alien world too. They don’t understand our language: Apostle’s Creed, narthex, sacristy, communion, washed in the blood, great cloud of witnesses. In their presence we should try to do what I did with this child, speak their language and try to show them love. We want everyone to feel welcomed, safe and at home. In our church and in our personal life, our openness and acceptance of others and our efforts to make them feel comfortable and appreciated is a matter of hospitality. Let’s all be intentional about offering acts of hospitality.
Father God, we ask that you help us to show the type of perfect love to others that they need. Help us to be open and friendly to those who come into our presence even when we don’t know quite how to relate to them. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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