Dear Ones,
Happy weekend! Hope the weather warms up soon! Hard to believe it is in the 80’s one day and then drops to 40’s. I was perfectly content to stay in yesterday and bake etc.  I plan to clean the apartment and do some food prep etc. today
Devotions from Judy’s heart
I love to see those who have the gift of hospitality and are so eager and quick to welcome others, looking to meet their needs. Sometimes it is so obvious to Al and I and we can nod at one another recognizing the person serving us has that gift. They tend to anticipate the needs of others and are quick to provide. When we stay overnight, those with hospitality usually have a basket in our room with guest amenities, snacks, etc. and we are made to feel welcome and not an imposition.
The monks readily welcome visitors, for they look at each guest as they if they are welcoming Christ. For as we do it for a stranger, we are welcoming the Lord. It says in Matt. 25 that what we do for someone hungry or thirsty or sick or naked, etc., we are doing it for Him. Monks may greet a stranger at the door with joy and humbly bow for they feel they are welcoming the Lord. They don’t base their greetings on whether the person is important in the eyes of the world, for each one is important and made it God’s image.
Many churches have programs for the poor. In Des Moines, we had a clothes closet at our church where any needy person could come and receive all the clothes they needed without price. It was so exciting to see when some of their exact needs were met, often by someone who had just brought a carload of clothes in the exact size. Some churches provide meals for those who are hungry or provide beds for the night. But we all need to examine our lives to know how hospitable we are. It can start on Sunday morning when we welcome the newcomers and offer to have coffee with them after the service rather than with our close friends.
There are times we are tested on how hospitable we are, for not everyone comes at a convenient time and we must make adjustments. Let us not let those opportunities slip by, but welcome the stranger, open our hands to the poor and do it as unto Him.
Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to make you aware of those He would have you serve and do it with joy and grace as unto Him.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy