A rich welcome!

Last night, my 4 children and I went to the airport after church to welcome home my almost 8 year old son, Zeke, and my husband, Rob,  who were returning from Washington D.C.  Rob's grandpa passed away a few months ago and it was scheduled for this past Wednesday for him to be buried and have a special service at the National Arlington Cemetary.  Since it is a tradition for Rob to take each of our children on a special "Just dad and me," trip when they turn 8, this seemed like the  perfect trip for Zeke.
    We arrived at the airport just minutes before they arrived . As we waited, the anticipation grew. We all stood staring through the doors scanning the crowd for the 2 faces we know and love. Finally, after minutes of waiting, we saw the ones we were looking for. As soon as we spotted them and before they could get through the doors, my 2 girls (4 yrs.& 2 years) began jumping up and down squealing with delight. As soon as Zeke and Rob made it through the doors, there were 5 people attacking them with hugs, kisses, and lots of joy/laughter. There is NOTHING like receiving a "RICH WELCOME."

Listen to this truth:

    "Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For IF you do these things you will never fall, AND you will recieve a RICH WELCOME into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:11

I have no idea what this will look like but I KNOW the difference between a "rich welcome" and a "poor/lame/.....welcome."  I know which one my soul desires. 

So, how do we receive this "rich welcome?"  God's word says, "IF you DO THESE THINGS..."  

"These things?"  Hmmmmmmmmm....... What things??? "Tell me, tell me! I want a rich welcome!"

Let's back it up to the verses before. 2 Peter 1:5-9 says:

"For this very reason, make EVERY EFFORT to add to your faith GOODNESS; and to goodness, KNOWLEDGE; and to knowledge, SELF-CONTROL; and to self-control, PERSEVERANCE;  and to perseverance,GODLINESS; and to godliness, BROTHERLY KINDNESS; and to brotherly kindness, LOVE. For IF you possess THESE QUALITIES in increasing measure, they will keep you from becoming ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins....Therefore, my brothers......."

Are you and I making every effort to possess these qualities in increasing measure thus creating a "rich welcome' for ourselves?

If you've forgotten or don't know just how beautiful and good to the soul a rich welcome is, head on down to the airport to make you thirsty. Hold the image before you and live your life accordingly. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy Link
 "I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." Phillipians 1:25 & 26