Come Back

 If you belong to some group, church, association, one of the best ways that you can be of service is to invite a newcomer to come back.  First of all, it requires you to notice and engage the newcomer.  You initiate the action.  So this takes you out of self-absorption.  Second, don't assume anything that was said or the content of the gathered group got through to the newcomer.  They may be simply wrestling with the unfamiliar surroundings.  Third, the newcomer can replace the person who has been coming for years but is now moving, changing careers, or time schedules or aging.  Without newcomers, you will eventually have no group.  And that teenager, the adolescent, don't assume that they will come back to your church because they are with their parents.  They need to be recognized by other members.  Get out of yourself and your comfort zone.