Grace Through Hospitality

Billy Graham once told of his son Franklin’s experience in the Middle East. Franklin was visiting a camp which held nationals from Kuwait. These people had traveled for days across the hot burning desert in buses. He noticed a woman who looked very distressed. She had small children around her. As Franklin began talking with her he discovered that she had given birth to a baby just three days before she and her family were evacuated from Kuwait.

The newborn baby was dirty and sickly. Franklin was able to help this young mother with needed supplies. He saw to it that she received medical attention as well. The mother thanked him for helping them. As they continued their conversation she shared that she had once been a Christian, but as her family grew to be very affluent, she drifted away from her faith.  Franklin reminded her of God’s love for her. And through his kindness and care for her needs, she recommitted her life to Christ.

Reflecting on this story, I think it is pretty powerful that this young mother found Christ again not through a sermon or even in a church building, but through an act of hospitality by one of his followers. As my friend Roger Kunkel used to say, “You are the only Bible that some people will ever read.”

Let us pray: Loving God, you have called us to be salt and leaven and light to a hurting world. In our everyday lives, through everyday actions, help us to be instruments of your grace and love. Amen.