Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Hospitality (02/07/05)
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TITLE: Hospitality's Call | Previous Challenge Entry
By Anita Williams
02/14/05 -
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“Come,” Her call was a gentle whisper. “Come on, there’s a seat for you here.” I was drawn to her, compelled if you will. Her smile was so radiant, I felt myself enveloped in its warmth. “I’m sorry; I’m not really dressed to come inside, “I told her, feeling ashamed for my shabby appearance. I hadn’t shaved or had a bath in days, but the grumbling of my stomach and the smell of fresh baked rolls propelled me through the door. “Don’t worry about that,” she said as she guided me past the dining hall, “I’ll show you where you can wash up and get a fresh shirt.” She led me down to the end of the corridor where two young men were handing out new white t-shirts. I took mine without looking at them, not wanting to see their youthful scorn. “If it’s too small for you sir, you can come and get another one,” One of them called after me as I went into the restroom. I washed my hands and enjoyed the warm water on my face. I ran wet fingers through my hair trying to slick it back. I put on my new shirt, and threw the other one in the trash can; it had seen its last days.
I spotted my angel across the dining room handing out fresh biscuits to the people at the tables. I watched her as she stopped at a table where a young mother ate with her two kids. The mother looked grateful as she took another biscuit and split it between the children, and the angel pulled some toy out of her apron that brought a squeal of delight from the youngsters. She saw me then, and beckoned me over to her. “Come, sit with me at my table, I could use a break myself.” I fixed myself a good helping of spaghetti at the buffet line, stuffed a whole biscuit in my mouth and another in my pocket as I headed back to the table. She gave a little chuckle and slid her basket of biscuits closer to me. “Eat a many as you like, there’s plenty.”
“Are you from around here?” she asked me as I shook my head no. “Just passing through,” I mumbled, “Just having a bit of hard luck is all. I got a job waiting’ for me in the next town….” I hesitated trying to think of something else to add, but she had the kind of eyes that told me she had heard it all before. “I think we’ve all had our share of hard luck”, she smiled knowingly. “Yeah, well I think I got my share plus a couple of other guys too! “ I snorted back, only half joking. My now full belly suddenly making me feel very tired. I stifled back a yawn, not ready to leave this woman’s presence. There was something very comforting about her. Like I could tell her anything and feel safe knowing it wasn’t gonna be all over the room an hour after I leave. She began talking to me about some of her hard times and how she finally found some relief by helping out at the dining hall. She shared with me stories of how she saw Jesus working in the lives of the people there at the hall, and she told me how God personally touched her life as she began to help those around her. “Even just giving away a toy to a child left here by a previous child, fills my treasuries!” She said brightly.
“The Lord has just shown me so much goodness through these folks” she continued. “You know Jesus said “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”1 “He said we will find rest for our souls.” She smiled a bright smile at that thought and she rose from the table. “It’s a good thing He’s so strong!” she said with a laugh, and she walked toward the door to greet the couple coming in. They looked tired too. “Come.” She called to them, “There’s a seat for you here.”
1 Matt 11:28 NIV
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