One of the best and most heartwarming experiences is that of belonging and being welcomed. Kevin Ryan, President and CEO of Covenant House, recently wrote to me saying that 'welcome' is one of his favorite words.
He went on to tell that "When a young person walks through our front door, shattered by abuse, poverty, or injustice, desperate for a place to finally call home, the first thing we say is, "Welcome." And that word means the world to a kid who has gotten used to people turning their backs." His words ring true with me not only as a result of my volunteer work with Covenant House years ago but because welcoming was a cornerstone of my work with sexually abused boys and people who suffer from substance abuse disorders. They also echo in the lonely places of my heart which searches for that door-always-open saying I belong to you and you belong to me.
Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! are the opening words of the Welcoming Prayer developed by Mary Mrozowski. She asks us to welcome everything. The reason it resonates with so many of us is that we have become wanderers with an address but no home. Not unlike the young people of Covenant House, we all seem to be outsiders, starving for such an unconditional, no strings attached greeting.
A smiling face, warm embrace, and the fragrance of something in the oven signals not only physical welcome but an inner reception of our hearts. When received with such openness we are no longer aliens in an unfamiliar place. We will be strangers no more.
The hospitality of welcome is an art which can be learned and practiced but is only authentic when it comes from a deep source of love. You can recognize it when the words; 'My home is yours. Eat and drink with me. Stay here' find their way to your center. When the reality settles in that we are all cherished family members, there will no longer be a need for security systems, bars on windows, and padlocks. There is no fear, expectation of departure, and no hidden agenda. Rather, there is a mutual vulnerability transcending the identity of the host or guest. If such vulnerability feels too dangerous then the welcome mat might as well be removed from the doorstep. And for those who approach with something to lose or something to gain, there will be no open arms.
Perhaps the mental image of a couch-surfing, homeless child (one of 700,000 adolescent minors) shivering in the night, with prospects of being trafficked is not enough to break or soften our fearful hearts. Maybe we could just see our own faces in the shadows and recognize the pain of loneliness and rejection each of us experiences. Then we might be able to reach out and reach in to extend a warm, undaunted Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! You belong here!