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| Cooper took this picture yesterday while we were driving. He said he wanted to take a picture of the sky. |
We live in an area where people have deep roots. And I mean DEEP roots. Most people that live here were born here, and so were their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. Deep roots. When we go to Cooper's games, everyone knows everyone. They all went to school together. They know each other's families. Then there's us. Our roots are scattered. My family uprooted and moved to Florida. While my immediate family is there, the rest are in Kentucky. Andrew's family is in Florida, too. Andrew and I spent the first 5 years of our marriage in Florida. Our roots are in those places. And we are like sprouts here. Just beginning to show up out of the ground. The longer we're here, the deeper our roots become, but can easily be transplanted somewhere else.
In Florida, most everyone is a transplant. They have moved there from somewhere else. Friends became our family. We spent time with our families on holidays and big occasions, but our friends were also part of our family and played just as important a role in our lives. When you didn't have the family around - your friends became your family.
You can imagine the culture shock it was to us when we moved here. Everyone does stuff with their family. After church, they go out with their families. On weekends - they spend time with their families. When your kids have a sports game or some other organized activity, families show up. On holidays, their families. It was one of the hardest parts of moving to this area. We are just now feeling as if we have friends that consider us part of their family and vice versa.
Andrew has been hosting interviewees a lot the past month. All of them out of state. All of them wondering if this place could be their home. And I have prayed for them. I have prayed for clear direction for them because it's hard on transplants in this area. One guy particular was very much a people person. He is renewed by being around other people. He is single. I told Andrew his biggest hurdle will be loneliness. Andrew and I were lonely when we first moved here, but at least we had each other to come home to. This guy is single. It's going to be tough for him.
That's why it's up to us. It's up to us to continue to create more room for others. People on staff, friends we meet at the library and park, our neighbors. We have to have open arms of friendship. Sometimes we become too comfortable with our regular friends and shut others out. Or we are afraid to open our arms in friendship because we know it is going to create a different relationship with your regulars. Everyone misses out in those instances.
To be a part of a group of friends that opens their arms to others is amazing. I am so thankful to the people that have opened their arms to us. I'm so thankful that I've taken initiative to get involved in a women's group, a couple's small group, story time at the library, and staff wives functions. The people I am meeting and getting to know are wonderful. It's been awesome to do life with these people the past two years. I can't imagine what life would be like for us had no one opened their arms to us and made room for us to be part of their lives.
Because others have done this for us, I will keep opening our home to others. I will keep opening my arms in friendship to others. I will constantly be finding space to make more room for others.
Of course we could tie this into Christmas. There was no room for Mary and Joseph to stay in Bethlehem. They ended up in a stable. While no people could make room for them, the animals did. How blessed those animals were to be part of an awesome story! All the people that turned them down missed out on a truly amazing adventure. They missed out on being part of a miracle. They missed out on welcoming our savior to the world. What are you missing out on by closing your door?
Make more room, people. Make more room for others.
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