At our house we have always said everyone is welcome at the table. This was taught to me by my mom. At holidays, we would extend invitations to friends, relatives and neighbors who might otherwise be alone. I have tried to continue the hospitality she taught.

^10-11 “When you’re invited to dinner, go and sit at the last place. Then when the host comes he may very well say, ‘Friend, come up to the front.’ That will give the dinner guests something to talk about! What I’m saying is, If you walk around all high and mighty, you’re going to end up flat on your face. But if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.” ^12-14 Then he turned to the host. “The next time you put on a dinner, don’t just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You’ll be—and experience—a blessing. They won’t be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned—oh, how it will be returned!—at the resurrection of God’s people.” (Luke 14: 10-14 MSG).

The reality is I don’t go looking for who might be left out. Someone else typically says, ”Do you mind if so and so joins us?” Even though my response is yes, I didn’t notice that someone needed an invitation to the table.

My role at work as changed dramatically. I am meeting lots of new people, and am the outsider is many situations. Recently, I wasn’t at the table. I felt out of place. I didn’t seem to belong and it felt awkward. I took an opportunity to leave early.

This has me thinking about who is included at the table. Who am I missing? Is there a new co-worker? Is there someone new at church or in the neighborhood? Who am I missing that needs a place at the table? I have work to do.

What about you? Do you see the outsider? Do you welcome them in? Have you been the outsider? What was that like? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.