Make Them Feel Welcome
It matters how you treat people! Make them feel welcome! Whether it’s in your home, at your church, if they are new to the school, or a new employee on the job.
There is a famous quote that talks about how people will forget what you say, and people will forget what you do; however, people will never forget the way you make them feel!
This is so very true.
I remember how it felt a few years back upon entering a huge church with a congregation full to capacity. You’re already anxious about being out of your comfort zone, yet you forge ahead with sweaty palms, almost wringing your hands as you scan the room hoping for a friendly smile, a warm “Hello” … something, anything to show that you are being welcomed into the church. If you don’t feel welcome, the chances of you returning are slim to none.
This was the first impression we had upon attending a church years ago. Despite not feeling welcome at all, except by the preacher that went out of his way to greet us after the service, we continued going back week after week in hopes that we would finally fit in. While that never happened, we stuck it out and even volunteered to be on a committee. We became a part of the GROW team with emphasis on greeting people and making them feel welcome when they stepped foot into the church for the very first time. What greater feeling could there be than to feel welcome into the family of God and to experience the love that Christians are supposed to have one for another?!
It matters how you treat people.
It matters how they feel when they are in your presence.
It matters when you make people feel welcome!
I’ll never forget the incredible welcome I received when meeting my internet friend of 17 years in September of 2014. Debbie, who was fighting breast cancer at the time, welcomed us into her home. I felt as giddy as a school girl as our vehicle came to a stop in front of Debbie’s house. As quickly as I could, I gathered my gift bags and started making my way as calmly as possible to her front door. She was anticipating our arrival, and when she opened the door, immediately the squeals of “Oh my gosh … oh my gosh” were spoken through smiles a mile wide. We had our arms outstretched before we were even close enough to embrace. Now THAT was an incredible welcome! One I truly will never forget. Sadly, my friend lost her battle with cancer in November of 2014, just two short months after finally having the privilege of meeting her in person.
Thank you, dear Debbie, for the most amazing feeling in the entire world when you welcomed me into your home. Years earlier we welcomed each other into our hearts, and although you’re no longer on this earth, you’re still in my heart. I carry you with me, sweet lady. Thank you for the gift of 17 beautiful years of the greatest friendship I’ve ever known.
Join us weekly for Five Minute Fridays over at Kate’s virtual house.
On A Cold January Day
One of my greatest blessings came to me on a cold January day. It was the year 1997, and I was pregnant with my darling angel sent straight from Heaven above.
Feeling a little scared, but more excited than anything, we made our way to the hospital where I would be induced at 5:30 A.M. I did not mind what was to come, although I was in labor all day and into the night. Why, you may ask? Because I knew that after the labor pains subsided, I would hear the most beautiful sound; the cry of my first born daughter.
But … she had a surprise in store for us all!
At 10:26 P.M., she came into this world without a single sound. Not a peep was heard out of my darling newborn.
Fear and panic set in as the medical team worked to clear my daughter’s airway. Having just seen the movie The Hand That Rocks The Cradle did NOT help the feelings welling up inside of me. (If you’ve watched it, you’ll recall the scene I’m speaking of!)
Oh how I wanted to hold my daughter!
My blood pressure began to drop, and the medical team then began to worry about me as well. I remember crying and saying, “I just want to hold my baby … can I hold my baby …” as the nurses were getting ready to take my baby out of the room.
Finally, the doctor demanded, “Let her hold her baby!! Now!”
This beautiful 5 lb. 15 1/2 oz. baby girl was placed into my arms, and something wonderful happened. Not only did our bond solidify at that moment in time, but my blood pressure increased at a rate that the doctor said he’s never seen before.
I held my baby, smiling as I looked into her deep blue eyes and knew what was meant by love at first sight.
Ah, but in reality, I loved her way before then! I loved this little baby from the moment I found out I was pregnant. I love her still, and I always will!
It is so hard to believe that this little bundle of joy has grown from a little girl with blonde hair bouncing around the house to a brilliant, talented, and gorgeous young woman!
Ladies and gentleman, my daughter is an adult now!
Whoa …
I need a moment after letting that sink in.
She is no longer a baby but a grown woman!
Wow.
And it seemed to have happened over night, too.
On that cold January day 18 years old, an angel came to save me. And that she has! No matter what has happened in my life through these years, with a long, grueling divorce, to losing my sister in the most heartbreaking way possible (suicide), having a ruptured ectopic pregnancy resulting in the loss of one of my tubes and my chances of getting pregnant again reduced to 50%, to bullying that took place at the hands of coworkers, to remarrying but then having a bit of a rocky year in 2014, my angel has always been there – rock solid and as strong as ever giving me all of her strength in those beautiful blue eyes of hers and in those loving arms that would wrap around my neck tightly. All is right in the world when my daughter smiles at me and says, “I love you, Mommy!” Yes … even at age 18 she will occasionally still call me Mommy.
Oh how I love her! This little baby turned toddler, running around in all of her childlike wonder, leaped into her teenage years where she sought her independence, and is now dragging her heels not wishing to become an adult just yet but having no other choice as she turns 18 years old as the clock strikes 10:26 P.M. tonight.
God, thank you for sending me one of your angels straight from Heaven. Thank you for allowing me to be her mother and for us to form a beautiful family unit when I remarried the love of my life when my darling was four years old. She didn’t have to come from a broken home after all, and she didn’t. We became a family in 2002, and tears fill my eyes as I think of my husband getting down on one knee on her level to present her with a beautiful ballerina necklace as part of our wedding ceremony to symbolize the family unit. Dear Father, thank you for allowing me, despite the ruptured ectopic pregnancy and the odds stacked against us, to deliver another beautiful blue eyed miracle baby in 2004 to complete our family. Oh God, how I thank you and praise you for the many blessings in our lives – the greatest blessings that I call my daughters. Please continue to keep Your Mighty Hand upon them and keep them safe. We love them so much, and we love you, too, Jesus. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to raise this angel on earth. Amen
How To Be A Modern Gentleman
Today I would like to share my thoughts on how to be a modern gentleman. In the world today, people rush here and there, never really taking the time to care about those that cross their paths during the course of a day.
My wife, Shirley, has spoken on being intentional in the past. I’d like to add my thoughts below for this topic in particular. Just how do you show that you’re a gentleman? By doing the following:
`Greet people politely. Treat your wife and children better than anyone else in your day.
`Always open the door for your wife and children.
`Be punctual. It does not make the person feel good to have to wait on you all the time.
`Keep your word. Do what you say/ follow thru with your intentions.
`Leave the place better than you found it.
`Put your cell phone away!
`Have fun. You don’t have to be so serious all the time.
`Don’t hold on to the negatives of the past.
`Don’t assume or accuse.
`Pray for yourself and others. Seek God in all things.
`Don’t brag or boast.
`Be authentic.
`Have eyes for only her.
`Make your wife feel like a queen every chance you get.
`Discover her “love language” and do things that speak directly to her heart.
`Make reservations or plans. While it’s nice to be spontaneous at times, it makes her feel special if you thought it out in advance and planned things just for your wife.
`Give her your jacket if she’s cold.
`Don’t be a pig at the table. Wait to start your meal and wait to finish together.
`Pull her seat out for her at the table.
`Rise from your seat when she enters the room.
`Listen with empathy. This is very important as women as big on communication.
`Compliment her often but be sincere about it. Don’t use “cookie cutter” phrases. Mean what you say.
`Say please and thank you. Using your manners is still “in” these days.
`Watch your mouth and your language.
`Control your temper. Don’t let it control you!
`If you are mechanically inclined, fix things around the house without being asked. She won’t have to “nag” if you just do it!
`Pay attention to details.
