How good are we at accepting people who are not what we expected?

Good News/Bad News

How gracious are we when people rain on our good news parade with their better news?

If you and your spouse had been told you couldn’t have a baby and then at last you found out you had managed to get pregnant, how would you feel?  Then, in the middle of the celebrations, your niece shows up at the door to announce she’s pregnant, unmarried, and the baby isn’t her fiance’s.

Would your ego get in the way because it spoils your day?

Would you start by telling her what a stupid, irresponsible child she has been?

How Should We React

Or would you react the way Elizabeth did in Luke 1 when Mary showed up at her door unmarried, pregnant and claiming the child was God’s?

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴²In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!”
Luke 1:41-42

Son

When your son comes into the room and announces he’s going to be an artist when you had him pegged as a doctor – remember Elizabeth.

Daughter

When your daughter shows up with a dullard who she obviously loves immensely – remember Elizabeth.

At Work

When an employee comes into office to proudly show you how she has achieved a task (obviously not how you would have done it) – remember Elizabeth.

And at Church?

And possibly most importantly.  When someone who doesn’t fit, someone with troubles, someone who looks different from you, walks into your church and sits in your seat – remember Elizabeth, sit down next to them and welcome them with open arms.

Photo credit: alancleaver

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