Welcome….is a very common greeting or term of acceptance or receiving. It’s on our door mats, our name-tags, and on the wall of my favorite Mexican food restaurant on South 1st and Oltorf in Austin – “Bienvenidos!” The word is quite literally everywhere.
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But to me it’s a powerfully underrated word….welcome. You see, to be welcomed means to have a place. Be it physically at a church or a home. Or spiritually, as a place in one’s heart, thoughts and prayers. Welcoming others is offering them a place.
So, my little monsters…..We welcome you.
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As we are here on this wet, cold, yet beautiful day God has given us to praise and worship Him…..We welcome you.
As we go into the world to play and learn and serve together….We welcome you.
As you come into our room in the middle of the night for important discussions about the zoo, or what color the baby’s hair will be when it’s born, or to sing countless renditions of the 12 Days of Christmas…..We welcome you.
As you achieve great milestones, like writing numbers and letters, learning to read, and setting a world record for the number of acorns you can fit into your pocket…..We welcome you.
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As you grow more and more independent, develop your own tastes/styles/beliefs/friendships and quickly realize that your parents are no longer cool….We welcome you.
As you set out into this world to make your mark and pursue your dreams. As you grow into independent women with careers or families, or whatever blessings God gives to you…We welcome you.
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In your most celebrated successes and in your most devastating failures….We welcome you.
Our prayer for you, my little monsters, is that you take this place. This place in our home, hearts, thoughts and prayers – and see that they are inspired by the love, joy and grace of God. Which makes this ability to welcome a beautiful and worthy gift to be shared with others. Just as Jesus welcomed all – we pray that you grow to extend His place to others.
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Your greatest of friends, or your fiercest of enemies….Welcome them.
Your neighbors, your teachers, your little brother/sister, your family (including the parents that you now think are cool again)…..Welcome them.
Those you love, the people you know, the people you don’t…..Welcome them.
Those who are hurt or broken or lost…..Welcome them.
Finally, those people who need God. Show them the love, joy and grace that He has shown us….Welcome them.
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Bienvenidos, my little monsters.
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George Brown  is the Director of Clinical Operations at Scott & White Healthcare in Round Rock. He is an active member and co-leader of the Sunday morning adult Grace Group at Grace Baptist Church.