Be the Inviter
Day 1 of HOW TO HAVE INTENTIONAL FRIENDSHIP
“I just don’t understand! I’m the new woman in my neighborhood—shouldn’t others be inviting me into their homes?”
The woman’s question caught me off guard. I had just finished speaking to a group of women, encouraging them to look around at where they lived and find someone who may need a friend: in other words, look for ways to love their literal neighbors.
As I thought for a moment about her question, I realized it’s one I secretly think as well. Why do I have to be the one to reach out? Can’t others approach me first? Invite me to their homes? And then deeper questions, rooted in my own insecurity, surface: What if they say no? What if they don’t like me? The fear of rejection will often stop me in my tracks as my mind quickly comes up with excuses for why I can’t do it right now or how I’ll get to it later.
And yet my excuses fall a little flat when I think of what would happen should I take the lead.
As I thought about it, it dawned on me that I crave to be invited too. I feel honored when I am invited rather instead of being the inviter and I am sure you agree with me as well. There is that subtle pride you feel when an invitation card lands on your table or via a mail.
However, will I feel less honored if I am the one inviting others over? In actual sense, I think it is more honorable to be the host than always craving to be the guest. As the host/inviter, you are seen as the ‘Don’ and you even become the center of the conversation because it all revolves around you.
This is how I gently responded to the woman’s question on that fateful morning. It’s also the tender reminder I give myself when insecurity or fear rears its ugly head as I step out in faith to turn a stranger into a friend.
Wouldn’t you consider doing the same?
You have a task below. Go ahead and do it or at least attempt it. Don’t be afraid of rejection.
Today’s act of friendship:
Consider one way you can invite a literal neighbor into friendship.