dancing together

I was not back in Korea 24 hours, no, not even 12 hours, when I received a phone call being invited to coffee and dinner.  One of the first things said to me was, "We have been waiting for you."  Wow!  Later that day I found myself at the Galleria drinking an iced caramel macchiato chatting with one of my Korean "families."
I felt a little like the prodigal son who had returned at last.  You know the story. The son comes down the road and dad says with great enthusiasm, "we have been waiting for you." (ok, my translation).    Oh, don't get me wrong.  My travels are not quite the same as the prodigal son story but the receptions I receive on my returns are very similar.  I guess the neat thing about travelling like I do is that this scenario occurs again and again~Korea, USA, Vietnam, China, Singapore, well, you name it, and it happens all over the world.
My own family opens their arms to a "prodigal" dad (and mom).  
I can't help but think this is the way God intended the world to be in the first place~each enjoying the other, each thrilled at the others presence, each giving value to the other regardless of race, color, or creed, as we say.  Come to think of it, most of my foreign "families" are not officially connected to my own denomination.  I like that.  We love each other for who we are and not necessarily for what we belong to.   It is not restrictive or limited to common faith and belief.  It is a real connection because somehow, like Baxter Kruger might say, we are all part of the great dance with Father, Son and Holy Spirit, whether we know it or not.  Each time I arrive somewhere I am reminded of the Father saying, "we have been waiting for you."
 Next month I get to go to China for my third time (assuming the visa is approved) and I get to experience this all over again.  This is fun for me.  It is the gospel story being lived out in flesh and blood.  It is dancing with the world and not just with the stars.  It is beautiful because there are no losers that go home, only winners who rejoice together in real fellowship and communion.  And, we can all dance equally.  I am a winner!  Ok, we are all winners!