Friday, October 5, 2012

Welcome - Five Minute Friday

Have you ever been part of a small group?
A place where you are safe and can begin to be known?
Saying "yes" can be a vulnerable word,
scary in the waiting space between 
wondering if you'll be welcome
and resting in that welcome.
I am starting a journey into a new community
of women writing unrestrained words,
freely scrawled across the page in five minutes flat!
This is my third visit to Lisa Jo's doorway,
and I have to admit it would be less intimidating
if I had ridden with a friend.
I know from the past that walking through doorways
may take courage, but the friendship and love
inside the house is too sweet to keep me standing on
the welcome matt.
Join us over at Lisa Jo's House?
She has a rockin' Five Minute Party every Friday!
Five Minute Friday
And if you want to party too, here are the house rules:
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

In case you didn't catch on, today we're writing about Welcome.  And finally, I'm setting my timer!

GO:
It seems I've been searching for welcome  behind each door since I was a very little girl.

From the doors of my school and the classrooms with nuns.
Through the many, many denominations of churches I tried to find home in, a little girl dropped off curbside and retrieved after service, depending the welcome there sometimes missed as I hid in the bathroom feeling unwelcome.  I've wondered my worth, standing outside of circles looking for the invisible door in ~ how does a circle hold the frame of a door?

I used to think something was really wrong with me, this intense desire to be seen and known.  I now know it's just part of my wiring.  I was actually created for circles, just ones without doors.  Circles of friendship and celebration, encouragement and weeping, without doors but always with welcome to those brave enough to wear freedom as their name tag.

And now I seek to extend this radical hospitality to everyone I meet.  For in circles that sustain life welcome is for everyone, no matter their story.
STOP

Thanks for visiting today, Favored One.  You are welcome to feel at home.

14 comments:

  1. I've linked to you through Lisa-Jo's blog. Thank you so much for sharing this! It's fabulous!

    Finding that place where we can feel welcome to just be us is so incredibly hard isn't it? But then again, God, in all His beauty, welcomes us into Him...and we are Home.

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    1. I'm so glad you visited here today! And yes, as years and new opportunities slip by, some lived well, others not seized, it is the slow understanding that He alone is our Home. And the joy of doing life with others who know this! Thanks for your words!

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  2. What a beautiful write, Tobi! So glad you joined in with FMF ;)

    I'm starting to think we're all wired to need to be seen and known. It's one of the very things that pulls us to Him...the One who knows and sees all and loves us anyway.

    striving with you to be more like Him....welcoming. ;)

    love and hugs to you! Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. To be known is our greatest desire - so true! It always involves risk, even with our Father. I think learning who He is and who we are in Him is what makes being known by Him even more valuable. You're already doing a great job of welcoming others, I've seen it in action! ; )

      Love to you as well, friend! See you soon!

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  3. I came over from the FMF.

    How very lovely this is. I feel so honored and flattered to be a Favored One. :-)

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    1. Thank you for visiting here. So true, it is honor beyond understanding, to be favored by Him. Have a beautiful weekend!

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  4. And you, oh precious one, set my heart at ease when you told me not to be nervous. Bless you!

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    1. I'm looking forward to your Canadian/New Mexico accent! : )

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  5. Tobi, I love your circle- never ending. Forever. Welcoming! N

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    1. Thanks Nancy. I'm glad you're in it! I really can't wait to meet you!

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  6. You are so brave! I am still not sure if I am ready to send uncensored thoughts out into permanent cyber space...though I would love to be part of the community. It's hard to turn down those Thursday night twitter parties and the Allume meet up. Anyway...thanks for being so welcoming to me! Can't wait for Allume:):):) I noticed you mentioned nuns. Catholic school?

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    1. Finally getting some time for the computer, Roomie. You already know it, but I've posted a 10 things about me for you. And we can talk all about St. Mary's one night in PA! : )

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  7. "How does a circle hold the frame of a door?" Ah, I've had that same feeling so many times! I'm so glad you've stepped out to join the FMF community! It's such a good time!

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    1. Thanks for making it easier to step into the FMF community! I'm hoping to actually learn who people are. @ACTilson talks as though everyone meets in her living room weekly while I felt like I'd stepped into a football stadium of people! : ) Time, time, time. : )

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