Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

1 Peter 4:9

Like Jonah, I had wanted to disobey God’s request; to run away. The Lord was asking me to revisit a woman in my community who cared for her great-grandchildren. But she had been standoffish. She even left her television dramas on loudly as I read aloud to the two girls. I didn’t want to go.

Prayerful about whether to return, I gained a sense of forgiveness. Perhaps her resentment wasn’t even about me.

Eventually the grandma divulged that she doesn’t read well enough to keep up with these children. She asked me where she could study to improve her literacy!

Like Jonah, when I followed through with God’s direction, my neighbor and I reconciled. A community was renewed!

Lisa Heule
Littleton, CO

Holy Spirit, teach me the patience to reach out, even when I’m initially hesitant. Amen.

Reflect: Is God asking you to accompany someone who tends to make you uncomfortable?

Read: Philippians 2:3 and Romans 15:7