I woke up somewhere between 5:30 – 6am.  Got out of bed with some motivation to go jog.  Everything was going according to plan UNTIL… I open the front door to find a note taped to it.  I figured it was just one of the neighbors giving us a heart warming welcome to the neighborhood… WRONG!  It was a note from the neighbor next door, who we haven’t even met yet, asking if we “would mind not parking our second vehicle in front of her house”.  Here’s what went through my mind:

• IS SHE SERIOUS?!?!?!
• WHO DOES SHE THINK SHE IS?!?!?
• We have spoken ZERO words to each other and this is the first thing she has to say to us?!?!?
• Its not HER parking spot!  It’s in front of my house too!
• I could slash her tires… or park sideways in front of her house… or block her in next time she’s home…
• If I wasn’t on staff at a church…
• SHE’S LUCKY I HAVE THIS STUPID ‘ROCK’ STICKER ON THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE.
• I should write something sarcastic and rude and stick it on her door.  Maybe draw a picture of a middle finger and tac it on there!  Or maybe I’ll put a nice little bible verse!
• She has a bumper sticker to a church I won’t name… I should write them a letter and share how ridiculous their members are!
• Does she even know Jesus!!!!???!!!!
• A jello mold would have been sufficient!

I was furious!  She had the nerve… So I just started jogging… tried to blow off some steam.  I tried praying… but I couldn’t focus…

And then Jesus dropped the bomb by reminding me, “Matt, I wasn’t welcomed to the inn…”

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

_Luke 2:7

I was frustrated and flaberghasted!!! I was all kinds of ;alkjsdfl;ajslfjasdouqwoeruqowpjfls!!!!1111!!!!!!11!! I wanted to be mad at that neighbor of mine, but God wanted me to love her.  I realized that not even the Savior of the world was welcome to park His vehicle in front of the inn (that was his anyway I might add)! Jesus had to sleep next to the cows and all their crap (literally)… the least I can do is live next to this woman.

So here I am.  Sitting at my desk reflecting on the situation.  Asking myself ‘why did that frustrate me so much?’  I’m not sure what the point of all this is, or why I even share it with you… but it made me think, when have I not made Jesus feel welcome?