LIFE RIGHT NOW â—½ YOU
Welcome-ish
by Jennifer Stephens
I love this sign. At first glance it’s a snarky, silly take on an ordinary welcome sign, but there’s a lot of meaning inside that ish. Because not everything is welcome here. There’s no room for hate. Or hostility. Harassment and bullying are not invited.
What IS welcome?
Authenticity
Kindness
Genuine interest in others
Humility
Honesty
Acceptance
Optimism
Sympathy
Integrity
Respect
Courtesy
Self-control
And…
Forgiveness when we forget any of the above.
In a world where evil comes knocking on our door, we must take heed on what we let inside. Bad things don’t arrive with a grand announcement proclaiming their true identity. They show up wearing clever disguises. They’re subtle. So, we must be careful. Because there’s no room here for malicious intent. We must guard the door to our hearts. We are the calm in the chaos. When hate knocks, the only answer is love.
“Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.
The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot.
The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. Whoever winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
Proverbs 10:6-12