I just want to be here

So we're having a party the other day. About 30 adults plus kids. Lots of kids. I love it.
My mother-in-law is walking through the house and notices one of the neighborhood kids standing at the front door.
In his bike helmet.
Running his fingers up and down the mesh screen.
Looking into the house.
Ida greets him and asks who he is.
He mumbles a bit, then finally gets the right words out:

"I just want to be here."

The party was contagious.
The laughter was infectious.
The life was spilling into the streets.
It was the kind of place you just wanted to be.

This is what people are going to say about our church.
The atmosphere be contagious.
The relationships will be infectious.
The life will spill over into the streets.
It will be the kind of place you just want to be.
People will wonder if they can connect.
And we will say,

"We threw this party just for you."