X: xwpew

Today’s letter is X. I know that some of you wondered what I was going to do at this point. I did too. There are not many words that start with x and even fewer in the Bible. I could always write on Xerxes, but I’m thinking, no.

So I pulled out my Analytical Greek Lexicon and began looking at x words there. There were many to choose from. I thought about rejoice and grace—both seemed appropriate for the day and season. Then I read a little further in the list and came upon xwpew. It is used ten times in the New Testament and it has something to do with come, or make room. Now there’s a word for the eve of Thanksgiving.

How much room have you made for people to come? Nelson invited his folks for dinner. I’m excited to have them come to our new home. He also invited a guy from work who was going to have to be home alone. Our older daughter who lives in Indiana called to ask if a friend of hers who may not have a place to go could come with her and Penelope. Asher will be with us and Beth when she gets off work. We have two dining room tables, a card table, and a fold away table we can use. And there are actually eight dining room chairs, four metal folding chairs, and at least four desk chairs we could pull to the table. There is physical space to spare!

But how much room is there in our hearts and lives for people? How welcoming is our spirit? It’s often easier to set another place than to give them a place in your heart.

As I was thinking about this and trying to formulate these thoughts a black ball of purring fur jumped into my lap and climbed into my face. Last night two cats found our front porch. They had obviously been raised around people. One was larger, black with white front mittens and white socks on his back legs. He seemed to be protecting the little black and gray tiger kitten. The tiger is one big cuddle bug who never seems to stop purring. He has been dubbed Purrkins. I actually went to the internet to research famous White Sox players to find a name for the other and he is now responding to the name Jackson (as in Shoeless Joe). Jackson took a little longer to warm up. We put them out for the night, but they were right at the door wanting in this morning. Right now, after a good pet and cuddle session, Jackson is sleeping at my feet while Purrkins is curled up in Nelson’s desk chair.

I have a feeling I’m going to learn many lessons through these two. I don’t think it’s a mistake that they ended up on my front porch. More than deciding whether I wanted to “mess” with a couple cats, I had to first decide whether I was going to let them into my heart—and into my pocket. Life is full of choices like that. People end up on our “front porches” everyday. Will we let them in? Will we find room? Our God is all about bringing people in and making room. How about you?