Seeing Your Brother In Need

With Anton's recent stranding in Bossier City, LA due to car troubles, we reached out to friends to see if anyone could help Anton out. With no transportation, he walked to the closest motel and has been walking to nearby restaurants and stores for food. Looks like he'll be there a few days. Between his immediate family, church family and future in-laws, we have all been searching for someone to reach out to him during these few days. Anton firmly believes God has him there for a purpose, so he is watching for those moments of grace during this hiccup in his trip. The very first person that we learned that was in the area that could help was the mother of the wife of a friend of the family. Anton immediately called her. Her response was, "I'm at dinner right now and 20 minutes away." Basically, she didn't want to be bothered. I commented to Anton, "Remember this, so one day when you are contacted by someone who needs you, that you will reach out to them." Now in her defense, she's a woman being asked to help a man, and oftentimes we women are hesitant to do that for safety issues when we don't know the person, but when it's your daughter speaking on behalf of someone, to me that should be enough.

God is pretty picky about hospitality, meeting needs and reaching out to strangers. When talking about reaching out to the least of these, Christ said, "I was a stranger and you welcomed me" in Matthew 25:35. When folks didn't reach out to strangers, Christ proclaimed in verse 46 that "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." Yeah, he says that. When you don't do for the stranger, you don't do it for Him. Romans 12:13 says, "Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." Hebrews 13:6 says, "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." and 1 John 3:17 says, "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?" We show our love for Christ through helping others.

Last Sunday a bunch of friends came to church. They heard the appeal of a veterinarian in our church who asked for donations of dog food. Recently he discovered employees embezzled thousands of dollars from him, leaving him with a very thin budget of late. He holds onto animals that are abandoned at his animal hospital in efforts to find them homes, so there is a true need for pet food. One of these friends who visited last Sunday showed up at our home yesterday morning with a 50 pound bag of dog food. He doesn't know this vet in the slightest, but said when he heard the need he felt God nudging him to help. He did this because he loves our Father and wants to share that love. We were so touched by the gesture and know our vet friend will be also.

We have had a friend step forward with a truck for us to borrow while we hunt for a car since our van was totaled two days ago. This same friend sent Anton off to Arizona with a bag filled with snacks for his journey. And another friend has messaged me to ask if she could send Anton some money for his expenses while stranded. Let me tell you something, we are blessed indeed by the love of friends. Overwhelmed by it.

When you see a need, do all in your power to meet that need in Jesus' name. This is one of the most important things you can do as couples. We are blessed to be a blessing. A quote often attributed to John Wesley says this, "Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can." Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, take care of the sick and visit those in prison. It's not a suggestion. It's God's command. And you will be blessed immeasurably by it.

Discussion: Share a story when someone helped you out. Share a story when you met a need. How were you blessed by either situation?

Prayer: Father, may we always reach out to your children in grace and hospitality, love and patience. Help us to see these people as if seeing your Son, Jesus Christ. In His name we pray, Amen.

Entertaining Angels

I've been doing some hotel block hunting. Trying to find the best group rate for hotels in the Bradenton area for our wedding guests. With nearly everyone coming from out of state, we want to have a nice place for them to stay in close proximity to the venue. It's hard for me to do this far from there, but doing the research nonetheless. There are some decent rates, and some high ones also. Praying we can find one that works for everyone. I am hoping it will be like a big family/friend reunion for everyone attending. In an ideal situation, we'd all have friends to stay with in the area and save a bundle. Right now, looks like the best deal we've found is $107 + 11.5% tax, decent by Florida standards, but steep for wedding standards. Going to pray about this one as rates get locked down.

Hospitality is of top priority in the Scriptures. Hebrews 13:2 says, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." 1 Peter 4:9 says, "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling." Romans 12:13 says, "Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." It is important to the Lord that strangers and visitors feel welcomed. Of course, this was to people inviting others to their homes, not to a destination, so we're in a little different situation here. But we will have fun being hospitable at the reception.

I know how much hospitality in the form of customer service means to both Ayla and Rob since they are in the hospitality/food service industry. But this also extends to the welcoming of guests to your future homes. As married couples, you will have the opportunity to host people in your homes, and you want them to feel as welcome as possible. When we first married, I wasn't very good at this. For one thing, I panicked thinking our resources wouldn't be enough to accommodate guests. This shows a true lack of faith and trust in our Father. If He wants us to be hospitable, will He not provide to make it possible? What you give you get back tenfold, so a generous spirit in hospitality will most certainly be blessed. So be welcoming and don't worry. Give it to God.

How can you be a good host? Meet, exceed and anticipate their needs. What do they like to eat or drink? Do they like fluffy or flat pillows (or bring their own)? Any allergies? Provide drinking cups, soap/body wash, shampoo, conditioner, extra towels and washcloths in the bathroom. Keep some extra toothbrushes/toothpaste on hand just in case they forgot. I'll never forget the one time Ayla and I stayed with friends who provided us with bathrobes, Perrier, DVDs to watch and magazines to read! Yes, they went above and beyond, and it was pretty cool. Your Busha has always been the most precious host. Even providing bath scrunchies and offering to wash our clothes. She always fills up the candy jars with Rice Krispie treats, Fruit By The Foot and Riesens. When we come we feel welcomed and loved. When people are traveling, they already are out of their comfort zones away from home, so you want to make them feel as welcome and comfortable as possible.

So while we won't be able to show hospitality in the "stay with us" sense for the wedding, we can certainly search for the best place that will treat our guests special. It won't be home away from home, but perhaps a party, a celebration, a vacation. We are looking forward to it!

Discussion: Tell about a place where you felt welcomed when visiting. Tell about a place where you did not feel welcomed. What are some things you like to do for visitors?

Prayer: Lord, you tell us we need to reach out to the sojourner and make them feel at home. We pray we are welcoming to guests. We also pray for your blessing on those times In Jesus name, Amen.