Welcome to the devotional Day 6,
Inviting the Stranger.
We can bring positive energy into our daily lives by smiling more,
Talking to strangers in line,
Replacing handshakes with hugs and calling our friends just to tell them we love them.
Quote by Brandon Jenner.
Meditation.
I attended the wedding of my stepdaughter not long ago,
At which I was the only white person among Jamaican,
African and African-American attendees.
I obviously did not share the same culture,
Race or background.
I'm the second wife of the bride's dad and have not much contact with that side of the family.
Flying to Jamaica for the wedding,
I wondered,
Will there be hostility or hospitality?
I left three days later feeling overwhelmed and grateful.
I had received many hugs from strangers and a warm welcome from all those gathered.
It felt good to smile at,
Talk to and hug strangers.
Often I didn't know if the person was a relative or a friend.
I wouldn't have the story of how this person belonged in my stepdaughter's life.
Yet we were all there to celebrate love and life and to allow for some healing of the past to happen if it could.
And it did.
The Bible verse I want to bring is Matthew chapter 25,
Verse 35.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.
I was a stranger and you invited me in.
Prayer.
God of new beginnings,
Thank you for the gift of my being a stranger,
Yet welcome.
Thank you for my sharing meals with strangers who would smile at me and even give me hugs.
Thank you for the opportunity to be part of a celebration that brought family together in an unforgettable way.
Thank you for the healing that happened during this time.
Amen.
