By: Laura Jane O'Neill

Laura Jane O'Neill — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 19:00:29 +0000

Ruth and Tina – thank you! When the two of you tag team, you never disappoint. I had to listen to this podcast in multiple sessions – for various reasons- which gave me some pondering time along the way. If you mentioned this area of ‘stranger-ness” please forgive my forgetfulness! Perhaps the first way I was aware of learning to welcome the stranger was in the area of doctrinal differences within Christianity. What freedom I found in beginning that walk with others who were not like me- many of whom were also different in other ways (of course!) As Ruth said, as we were both (all) moving toward the Center, who is Christ, we moved closer together. You have helped provide a container and guidance for part of this journey, though the mile-markers go back many years.
I also resonate with the idea of fear being a chief resistance. One fear can be, and was for me in some situations of welcoming the other, a fear of doing, saying or insinuating something hurtful or just plain ignorant. God started whispering “just listen for awhile and don’t try to change anything in a big way”, and then… I started encountering small ways, closer relationships, and dear people who were willing and gracious with my mistakes. I felt less needy and more confidence, not in myself, but in God who was working to bring us together in healing and transformative ways. You have both been part of this growth in community. Thank you so much for this podcast. I leave it with much hope.

Comments on: Season 24: Episode 6 | Making Room: Welcoming the One Who is Strange to You

By: Laura Jane O'Neill