Once upon a time there was family who lived in a house. Kids, parents, grandparents, and great grandparents lived there, too. There were the usual hassles of a family living together….but, for the most part everything was fine.  If anyone in that family were given the choice, to stay or go, all would vote unanimously to stay.

Down the street there was another house with the same kind of living arrangements. They too made it through the hassles of a large family living in one home, even though some of the members were not as dedicated as others.  Still, if anyone in that family were given a choice, to stat or to go, all would vote unanimously to stay.

Still further down this road, lived a third family, with again, the same type of arrangement.  This family seemed to constantly be in an uproar. Not everyone felt it was important to keep the house clean, the clothes washed, the yard mowed, and food on the table.  Still the majority of the members tried their best to keep the place up. For awhile the most of the family had jobs, the kids kept their schooling up, and the stay-at-home retired part, did their share of cooking and cleaning and keeping the house tidy.

The first and second family continued to have their bumps, their job changes, their high school and college graduations, and their marriages, all changing the character of their lifestyles.  It seemed too, that naturally there were new additions born into these homes, as well as the older generation passing into eternal life.

But the third house never quite became that harmonious….No matter how hard the  most of the members tried, it seemed there were those who did not want to participate, in the duties.  It led to a discord that caused some to want to leave….and those who chose to, were not necessarily the ones who kept up the house, or car payments, or saw that the school kids had new books and pencils. Some were good and conscientious and willing to work and share the bounty…..others thought it was their right to be a part of the blissfulness of a happily run home, but not participate in its workings.

And so each who wanted to leave, left.  For those looking for a new home, more peaceful, more established, with more of a future, it was to be kind of a bumpy road for awhile, but because of their direction, their desire, their morals, and their beliefs, their new home was made and the family began to flourish, once again.

The family members, who chose not to do their part, but still wanting the rewards, tried their best to fit in.  It seemed that the ‘fitting in’ only worked when they were living in the household, who either chose to take care of them, or were just like them, just hanging around, not accomplishing much of anything, except having their clothes get more dirty, and their tummies get more empty, and yards having more weeds.

The families who took in the people who didn’t hold up their end of bargains, soon learned that everyone was expected to do their part, their share. And dang if some of those ‘new family members’ didn’t take up their share of the load. They found that doing part, worked very well, for everyone!

Homes that took in ‘inactive’ members soon learned that an opportunity for some turned to out to be a burden for others, if all didn’t do their part.  Of course the natural highs and lows that occur in lives did occur in these homes…but for those who worked together, the bumps finally would be smooth again.

But for those who centered more on using what was not theirs, or taking advantage of equality, life was dim.

And so it goes for all of us. We face these values, these bumps, and grief, in our lives.   We  also share love, encouragement , and even our country.  We give time, food, care, medicine, and money to help, no matter where in this world those in need live and are happy to do so.

But this world is just like the 3 neighbors, living so close in life and yet so far in accomplishments.  Most try and fail, try and fail, and then find that they are well on their way to their chosen success.

To welcome with open arms comes expectations from those new members who want to be part of our family.  We ask no more or less than we ask of ourselves and our more established family members.   Depending on our age, we understand the ‘guilt trips’ we take ourselves on…wanting to ‘make room’ and ‘make room’ and ‘make room for one more’.  And yet, deep inside, we understand it is just not possible.

What is possible is to help those who understand the expectations of living with us.  We really don’t ask for much do we….go to school, hold a job that takes care of yourself if alone, or your family.  We ask that you are honest, that you let others have religious beliefs that are not necessarily yours, without any type repercussion, that you do not like or dislike anyone because of their race, and that you love the US. We also ask that as a citizen you understand and abide by our laws, knowing that if you disagree, you may use your vote to change them.

In making this commitment, we want you to become a part of our nation, and, we encourage you to become a part of helping the nation you fled from, because we know that if you were not afraid, or could not take care of your family, chances are you would still be where you were born. It is our ideal that all land be full of countries that have good living conditions, jobs, and health. That all countries have clean water, and medicine, and a school to attend….and that all nations be governed by men and women who care more for you than for themselves.

Do we have a perfect country….no. Do we have citizens that hurt themselves and others and break the law and do not care for their family…yes. Are we trying to make things better…yes.  Do we want any more incoming citizens hurting themselves and others, or breaking the law…no.  Do we therefore have the right of great expectation within our borders…yes.

So until that time….when other lands welcome home their families, we ask for you to understand and be a part of the solution, not the problems of this world.