Hello ,

"The First Church of the Waffle House." 

At first blush, this phrase might seem to be an outrageous violation of what is sacred. 

Please hear me out.

If you've ever been to a Waffle House, you realize that this place will probably never end up on the Michelin list for fine dining. 

The food is cheaply priced, served with very little fanfare, and there's lots of it. 

The atmosphere is borderline "tacky," bare-bones, and the dining room lights glare brightly, 24 hours a day.

It's a dichotomous mixture of "homey meets homely." 

In the first few moments of stepping into one, I wondered, "What's the draw?"

The answer to that question happened quickly. I looked around the place, and it became reassuringly evident. 

Bikers sat next to business people. Families congregated near older men who looked lost and lonely. Single moms happily chatted with waitresses while their children ate home fries and jellied toast.

That was the draw!

It didn't matter where anyone came from, who they were, or what their background may have been. 

All were welcome!

Everyone received a smile. 

Respectful, happy, and down-home treatment was the norm, not the exception.

No judgement. 

Just acceptance.

Tattoos? 

So what!

Booze on someone's breath? 

No big deal.

Are you broken from years of heartache and trauma?

"Here's your waffles. You're just as important as everyone else in here!"

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another." 

John 13:34-35

What if churches accepted every one who walked through the door as Waffle House does? 

I believe it's worth thinking about.

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike / The Open Word