You know, we southern ladies have a reputation to uphold. It is in our heritage to make others feel welcomed when they visit our homes.
My Daddy always sent our guests home with a fresh arrangement of flowers. My mother-in-law always had cake, cookies, and tea waiting for anyone who would walk through the door. Me? Well – cakes won’t last if they enter this house, so instead I give away something I canned or some fresh eggs or vegetables.
Southern hospitality, right?
It is easy enough to make others feel loved and welcomed when they enter your home, but what about social situations?
For an example: Last year I was part of an organization where everyone knew each other (I think most of them went to church together). I was there out of obligation. I always dreaded going because I felt like a third wheel. I just kind of floated around and tried to look like I belonged. Only one woman really tried to make me feel welcomed, but the rest just didn’t have that gift or concern.
When we changed churches 6 years ago, it was really difficult to feel like a part of the family. My husband and I survived because honestly, we both rarely meet strangers. But one of my friends finally gave up and left (I don’t even think the leadership has noticed). She had been going there for years, but she never really felt welcomed (especially after ending a relationship with an abusive cruel man who attended the church before she did). Now she is floating around, looking for a church family.
Welcomed …
It wouldn’t hurt if people made a more conscious effort to make others feel welcomed and included.
I am linking with Lisa Jo for her 5-Minute Friday challenge. Today, she gave us the prompt: WELCOME. She asked that we write for 5 minutes without any forethought or critiquing. We just start writing …
If you would like to join us, click on her button below:
This is very true, there is certainly an importance in welcoming one another, and an art I think that some of us have forgotten. I think this weeks prompt will certainly have me taking more notice of how I’m welcoming someone OUTSIDE of my own home! 🙂 Enjoyed reading, dropped in from FMF.
I have a dear friend who has intense social anxiety and I can’t help but think of how this word prompt would feel to her. There would be fear and trembling and a whole lot of questions about how could she possibly be different. Perhaps what we are to really do is just be open to receiving all that comes our way. Maybe then, it would be less about all that we should do and more about who we should be…
So true….All we need to do is love others more thanourselves by welcoming them….love your post…I’ve been there…done that and it hurts!
I remember the first time I went to my church back in the early 90’s. I sat in the back pew. But before I left that morning, I was greeted by so many welcoming people. Two women came up to me and shook my hand telling me this: “I’m Bobbi Frost and this is Barbara Snow. You can always remember us as Frost and Snow.”
Every week thereafter, Snow and Frost greeted me warmly. I’ve been a member now for more than 15 years!
Blessings and love,
Debbie
So very true my friend.