The Heart of Who I AmSample

I AM WELCOMING

God created you with a unique set of skills and personality traits. He doesn't ask you to be someone you're not. Instead, God's Word equips us to do good works (See 2 Timothy 3). In other words, you are perfectly prepared and equipped to let your light shine before others - in your own way.

Letting your light shine starts by being welcoming. Think back to a time when you felt welcomed. Consider a moment when you felt accepted and included. Do you notice that being welcomed is a feeling?

I can stand on a stage in front of an audience and announce "Welcome!" all I want, but I seriously doubt any one individual will feel welcomed. Feeling welcomed goes beyond a statement or even a handshake. Let's see what it means to be welcoming:

• Make the first move
  Be the first one to approach another with a handshake or fist bump - even if you're the newbie to the group or event.
• Introduce yourself
  If you can't remember if you've already met, simply say something like, "Hi, I'm __. Should I remember your name?" or "Hi, I'm __. Have we met before?"
• Learn a name
  Once you hear someone's name, make an effort to remember it. Have trouble remembering names? Find a video or class online with tips to help you remember.
• Connect & share
  Find a way to connect with others. Here are some ideas:
  • I see you're wearing a Mets cap. I like baseball too. Did you ever play?
  • Is this your first time here? I remember my first time. I was a bit shy.
  • I noticed you came with Joe. I know Joe. We both volunteer at church.
  • It's nice to meet you. It's my first time here. Have you been here before?

Remember - feeling welcome is, well, a feeling. And if you don't use tips like these to make others feel welcomed, you may - unintentionally and accidentally - make them feel the opposite.

NEXT STEP: Write down a moment when you felt accepted and welcomed. What made you feel that way? How can you share that feeling with others?