Offering welcome

This morning I read this from Anne Lamott's book, Small Victories: "The reality is that most of us lived our first decades feeling welcome only when certain conditions applied: we felt safe and embraced only when the parental units were getting along, when we were on our best behavior, doing well in school, not causing problems, and had as few needs as possible."

She continues, "I've discovered that offering welcome helps a lot, especially to the deeply unpleasant or weird. The offer helps you both. What works best is to target people in the community whom no one else seems to want. Voila: now welcome exists in you. We want you, as is. Can you believe it? Come on in. Sit down."

It also happens that the theme of the most recent issue of Parade Magazine was "Resolution Kindness. Let's make 2017 the Year of Being Kind."

In the lead article Paula Spencer Scott cites a few ways to spread kindness.

1. Say Thanks
Write thank you notes, one each week to a different person, for the year. Parade offers a template for this if you need a kick-start.

2. Keep it Simple
You don't have to save the world. Or even think globally to begin with. Reach out to an old friend. Shovel a neighbor's sidewalk. Smile and wave at them.

3. Teach It
If you're a teacher or parent, there are free, downloadable lesson plans and other kindness resources
at the Random Acts of Kindness website. And here's a list of some pretty cool things to do that can create a culture of kindness at your school.

The Random Acts of Kindness website mentions a few stories of how people spread kindness in practical ways. Like paying for the purchases of the person in line ahead of you when their credit card is declined. Or a mom and daughter team who made up Care Kits (with lip balm, socks and snack bars) to hand out to people in need.

Kindness is a practical way to show welcome.

We don't have to let anyone or anything depress us into thinking that no one cares about the widow or orphan or the refugees among us.

Historically that has been a big theme of Judeo-Christianity (witness Isaiah 58:9-12, the parable of the Good Samaritan, the Sermon on the Mount ), as well as Buddhist and Muslim faiths.

According to the UN Refugee Agency, there are over 65 million individuals who have been forcibly displaced worldwide. That's more than at any other time in human history.

This can seem daunting, until you remember to start small.

Consider giving to an organization that directly serves them. Like  Preemptive Love Coalition focusing on Syria, Iraq and Iran. Or WorldVision. Or The World Food Program, which provides food to school kids facing starvation.

If your city isn't a Sanctuary City, find out how it can become one or join existing efforts to welcome refugees.

During such a time of deep division as we're currently experiencing worldwide, it's helpful to know that you can offer an alternative and actively choose to break down borders - be it in your neighborhood, city or country.

Spencer Scott closed out her article by mentioning several benefits of kindness, including:

. Happier, bigger hearts
. Better physical health
. Stronger neighborhoods

And if you should need a gentle nudge towards doing so, remember that God loved us even before we loved God (Ephesians 2:4). And if you believe that heaven exists, remember there are no borders there!

For even more inspiration, watch this ten minute TED talk, featuring middle-school teacher Orly Wahaba who founded an organization that promotes kindness. "It's the extraordinary effects of ordinary acts of kindness that change the world," she says,