W – Welcome It All? {26 Surprising Ways to Encounter God, A-Z}
“This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.”
– Rumi
W—Welcome
Something good happens.
- We welcome it.
- We thank God.
- We’re happy.
Something bad happens.
- We try to make it go away.
- We beg God to remove it.
- We’re bothered by it.
But what if, regardless of what happens, we welcome God into it?
If it’s good, that’s easy. If it’s bad, while still working and praying to eliminate it, can we invite God to help us accept it? Just for the moment. As an opportunity to partner together. Just for what it is, subject to change.
I’ve been working on this all year. My One Word for 2016 is Welcome.
I’ve sliced it up twelve ways, taking one month to intentionally accept something different as encounters with God, things I wouldn’t ordinary welcome into my life.
It’s not been easy. But it’s been good.
Try This
What’s happening in your life, your family, your body, your work in this season? Is it easy or hard to welcome? See if any of these ways hits home to help you better accept it.
Here are the Welcome topics by month.
- January. Welcome Authenticity
- February. Welcome Self-Compassion
- March. Welcome Resiliency
- April. Welcome Gratitude
- May. Welcome Intuition
- June. Welcome Creating
- July. Welcome Rest and Play
- August. Welcome Calm and Stillness
- September. Welcome Love and Wisdom
- October. Welcome Meaningful Work
Learn More
- God’s Word of Welcome
We never lose our place on God’s whoever list, by Max Lucado. - Why Hospitality Is Important to the Kingdom of God
At the end of the day, it’s a heart issue. - Is This Fun to You?
How to welcome individualized play in our lives. - Welcome Hope
3 ways to have more hope.
* * *
What are you working to accept, or welcome, in this season of your life? Is it hard or easy? Please share in the comments.
Coming up tomorrow:
- X – X-ray
Have you had a spiritual x-ray?
If you’d like to receive 26 Surprising Ways by email, sign up here.
- V – Valuables and God {26 Surprising Ways to Encounter God, A-Z}
- X – Spiritual X-rays {26 Surprising Ways to Encounter God, A-Z}
Lisa, such a good reminder to welcome God into all that occurs in our lives. It’s so easy for me to overlook what He would have me to see and learn when I don’t welcome it all. It will be good to think on this for a bit today!
Thanks, Joanne. It’s easier for us to see God in the positive things, things we want to happen, yes? I suppose that’s natural. But I want to accept his will for me in everything, especially those things I don’t understand. Easier said than done. 😉
This may be my favorite of your posts in this series. Good, good thoughts.
Thank you, Michele. Can’t believe the 31 days is almost over!!!
Good word, Lisa. It’s hard to recount all the times some difficult situation turned out to be helpful, and often for the best.
Yes, looking backwards would probably be a good spiritual exercise to incorporate into our routines more often. Sometimes it’s easier to see God in the rearview mirror, which then builds our faith in looking forward.
I’m sitting in no man’s land waiting on a house since our move. It’s hard, as the weeks pass by it’s getting harder. Thank you for this reminder, I need to welcome God into this and let Him help me get through it. Thanks for sharing with Thankful Thursdays.
Waiting on a house seems like an appropriate place to throw out a spiritual welcome mat. 🙂 Praying that this waiting time comes to an end soon, though, Lori! I imagine this is a difficult transition for all.
I appreciated these thoughts about welcoming God into our situations, good or bad! And when I read over your list from the past year, February and “Welcome Self-compassion” jumped out at me. That was the month that I began to speak with a counselor about being kinder to my body, and finding self-compassion in the midst of chronic pain. Thank you for the encouragement your words brought to me today! –Blessings to you!
Oh, that is wonderful how that coincided, Bettie. God is so good like that. Being kinder to ourselves doesn’t always come naturally, but it’s important because God wants us to love others as we love ourselves. Praying that you’ve been successful in doing this!
I think we have to do this if we’re to find the JOY and contentment Paul talks about. How wonderful that you’re actively seeking to welcome even the hard things, Lisa. You’re such an inspiration!
Well, I’m trying, but not always succeeding in welcoming everything that comes. 😉 But it does help me have a better attitude when I intentionally accept things instead of whining about them. Thanks for your encouragement, June.