A Moment To Breathe: Find Rest In The MessSample

Home Is Where You Feel Wanted

While in college, I found it odd that a childhood friend visited my family before her own when she returned to town during university holidays. One day she confided, “When I walk into your home, everyone gets up, greets me with a warm ‘Hey!’ and wraps me up in a bear-sized hug. Your family makes me feel like a big deal.”

My communications professor taught that the first three minutes of every human interaction – in the morning, at the office, when a family member comes home – sets the tone of your communication for the rest of the day. No matter what time Dad came home, we’d hear his key jingling in the lock followed by a booming “Hello!” as he entered the doorway. Mom always answered with a cheerful “Hey!” 

Yes, they occasionally argued, but in the midst of it all, they never stopped making each other feel welcome and wanted. And they never stopped making others feel that way too. Because home is not merely where you’re welcome; home is where you feel wanted.

Our Father in heaven opens His arms wide and lovingly invites us in. Best of all, His welcome lasts longer than the first three minutes. His welcome lasts forever.