I am a spreadsheet guy. I confess it openly. I like numbers, and I like to play “what if” scenarios on decisions, budgets, and investments. But I also think of “what if” scenarios about people. So I want you to consider a “what if” scenario or two with me.

What if a couple gets married and moves to our town? They’re deeply invested in their careers, their favorite hobbies, and their entertainment choices. Their marriage reaches a point where they are ready to start a family, and they welcome their first child, then another a couple of years later. But their time stays invested only in career, hobbies, entertainment, and now in feeding, bathing, and changing babies’ diapers. What if they never find a relationship with Christ or a church home? What if they never come up with a plan for helping to develop those children spiritually? What kinds of challenges will those kids face when they have never been exposed to Jesus, to His church family, or to the many resources they could have had for raising their kids?

What if a man moves here to be closer to his kids and grandchildren? He buried his wife 6 months ago and has no other relationships in town except with his children. How will he make friends? How will he cope with his grief, surrounded by strangers in a new neighborhood? What if a Christian neighbor never reaches out? What if he’s never included or invited to be part of Explorers? What if no one ever tells him about GriefShare? How will he heal?

I could repeat these and fill pages. What we do with each other, with our neighbors, with the people we meet, carries eternal consequences, emotional and spiritual consequences. Every kindness matters. Every sincere invitation matters. They matter more than we can possibly imagine. . .

… until we are the new parents.

… until it’s our dad who moves to be near us.

… until it’s our relocation, job loss, grief, or new opportunity.

Let’s answer the “what ifs” with great grace, offering hope and opportunity to the people that God places in our paths!