I am living in a new area and tend to get lost -- a lot. I am trying to find my way and locate the sources for all the essentials, like a pharmacy, a pizza place, etc.

What I have noticed in all this are the people who go out of their way to be helpful. People who really give of themselves to make me feel at home have made a big difference in this move.

This to me is the sign of a really generous person. People who are miserly with their time can't be bothered to offer things like, "Follow me! I’ll drive you there." Or, "Let me see if I can find out for you."

We all have met people like that. Are we people like that? In our jobs and our lives and in our churches? Do we get too caught up a church to notice the one who is new or lost?

When I was interviewing for a new call, I met an amazing woman. She was in charge of outreach at her church. She said to me, "People come new to a church because they are looking for something. It is my job to find out what that is and help them."

If all of our churches would have such a good attitude toward outreach, then every congregation would be growing. Because everyone is looking for love and grace and forgiveness. And that is what we are offering, because God took the time to offer it to us. 

Lord,
Help me to see in the stranger what God saw in me, a need, and help me to meet it.

Amen