by Vicki Becker

 

When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 19:33-34)

 

God has led our daughter, Sara, to have an active faith. Not too far from her home in New York City, she is volunteering for an organization that works with immigrants. She accompanies them to court where they try to get a court date in order to stay in this country permanently. She doesn’t know how they came to be here: work visa, tourist or illegally. She just knows they want to call America their home.

 

If you walk a few blocks from Sara’s apartment, you can look out in the harbor and see the Statue of Liberty – there, welcoming all who want to come. I look and see our Father saying, “Come.” We are reminded that all are foreigners in this land but He continues to welcome us in. He doesn’t care who we are, what we’ve done, or where we’ve been. He stands with open arms, wanting to love and care for us. We just have to come.

 

Like Jesus, her work and her joy is to be a friendly face. To show them that someone cares. To extend a hand of comfort and a heart of encouragement.

 

Father, in these troubled times, let us stand with open arms and welcome in those who are foreigners (by culture, race or land). Let us help them know someone cares, that we are a refuge from the storm. Amen.