| "Open Doors" It was the first day of preschool and I wandered over from my side of the building to the preschool class to meet the kids. Towering over these little 4 and 5 year old bodies, I went to an empty tiny chair and sat down. Immediately, kids started to come over. They were drawn to the largest kid in the class. "Wanna see my lunch box?" said one boy. "I have a lunch box too," said another and went off to fetch it. "Look, it has Spider Man on it. Wanna see inside? I have a sandwich. Wanna see?" He then proceeded to open his sandwich container and show me the 2 pieces of crust-less bread with peanut butter and jelly in the middle. "I have a new shirt," said a girl. "Look at my shoes," said another. Keep in mind that I had not asked one question upon entering their domain. My only words were, "Hi boys and girls, I'm pastor Craig." From that simple statement I received lots of information from them. I looked to the table next to me where two little girls were engrossed in their giant lego's building project. "What are you building?" I asked. "A castle for princesses." "It's beautiful," I remarked. "Where do the princesses sleep?" "Right here in a princess bed," she said with indignation as if to say, "you dummy, where else would a princess sleep?" This could have gone on all morning. The children were more than willing to open the door to their world, to give me the keys to their kingdom, to include me in their community of friends and adventures. All I had to say was, "hello." Jesus told us to be like them. Now I know why. They are not afraid of new things, they embrace them. They go to others before others come to them. Paul tells us in Colossians that if we are faithful to sharing Christ with others then God will open doors for us. There is nothing more inviting than an open door. There is nothing more accepting than the welcome and unconditional love of children. If the church is to grow and invade the surrounding community with love, then it first must practice open door ministry. We must love unconditionally and invite others to join us as soon as we hear, "hello." Today, I invite you to open the door to your office, your house, your classroom your heart. It is amazing who God will send to walk through. Sharing in Faith,
Rev. Craig W. Duke
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