Januray 25th

"How to Befriend the Unfriendly"
I am exasperated at how unfriendly the people at church are. They never speak to me. When they do speak, I feel as though I am simply being tolerated. I do not feel a part of their "crowd." It is so unfair! But, I have the answers for me and any other poor soul who has encountered such unfriendliness when at the services.

I AM GOING TO MAKE EVERYONE CONVERSE WITH ME. I’ll strike up conversations with everyone at church, including those I hardly even know. To make it better, I am going to find out what interests them so I’ll have plenty to say and hear with them. I’m not going to give them the chance not to speak to me. I will eagerly listen to what they say, and they will think they’ve never met someone so sincerely interested! That’ll fix them!

I AM GOING TO WEAR A BIG SMILE. I am going to develop a personality so magnetic that no one can resist getting to know me better. My grin will be an open invitation to visitors and members alike. I bet they’ll all wonder what’s gotten into me, that I’m so happy. They’ll be eager to be a part of what makes me so cheerful!

I AM GOING TO DO UNSOLICITED ACTS OF KINDNESS. I’ll send them notes of cheer, cards of sympathy, and letters of encouragement. I’ll visit their sick family members and neighbors. They won’t know what hit them. I’ll pray for those folks down at church...by name...every night!

I AM GOING TO STAY AROUND LONGER AFTER THE LAST AMEN. I’ll hang around the auditorium, get to the foyer early enough to catch the early departures, talk to the elderly, the small children, and even the visitors. I bet they’ll mistake me for a deacon or an usher.

I AM GOING TO STUDY EVERY PASSAGE ON FRIENDLINESS AND KINDNESS I CAN FIND. I’ll memorize, "A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). I’ll quote, "And be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32). I will model Colossians 3:12, "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, hearts of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, patience..." I’ll carry a plaque with me that reads, "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born of adversity" (Proverbs 17:17). I am going to memorize the beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and the Christian graces (2 Peter 1:5-7). I can’t kill them with kindness unless I’ve got my gun loaded!

Whew! Now I’m ready. Those unfriendly folks at church don’t stand a chance. I’ll melt every cold stare. I’ll dodge every harsh word. I’ll deflect every criticism with the shield of warmth. I’ll be so friendly ...hmmmmmmm...
maybe that was the biggest part of the problem anyway. If I were friendlier...