Wherever Lauren and I went this morning, a ragtag band of stuffed animals were invited to come along.

The caravan started while playing in Lauren’s room. We were having a “picnic” on the floor, and Lauren’s philosophy was the more the merrier. So, Elmo, Cheer Bear, Rapunzel, and giraffe, puppy and dinosaur friends joined us and the picnic became a party. When we moved the fun to the living room, Lauren decided to bring her friends, too. It took a few trips, but soon they were all settled in watching Super Why.

Bringing friends along is worth the effort.

It is easy to get caught up in your own life and family and schedule, and soon it all revolves around you. But, God has placed people He cares about deeply all around you, inside and outside of your family, and God intends for you to bring them along.

Most of us understand that as Christians our lives are on display, but much of the time this holds a somewhat negative connotation that causes us to work to protect ourselves or just feel guilty about the reality of where we are in our relationship with Jesus compared to where we think it should be. So instead of getting right with God and shining our light without shame, we work to build curtains inside our fish bowls.

Today, our party started in a messy room, passed through a kitchen with dirty dishes that didn’t make it into the dishwasher last night and landed in the living room where the carpet technically needs vacuumed. And, everyone had a great time! Just as my house will never be completely clean, my life is not perfect. But that doesn’t mean I don’t welcome people over to my home and shouldn’t share the love and good news Christ has given me.

Jesus wants me to bring my friends along as I learn and grow and stumble and succeed in my faith. Through it all, God has promised to never leave me or forsake me, so when I invite friends to join me, even to hang out or to go grocery shopping, they get to be in the company of Jesus. I’ve been amazed at what God can do through a simple text, an invitation in passing or a conversation over dinner at home.

Just as Lauren brought her furry friends around with her this morning, I am praying for God’s guidance to be more intentional about bringing along the people He has placed around me.