It had been a busy few months, complete with training sessions, meetings, and thousands of air miles. Conference calls with coworkers in different time zones punctuated my solidly booked schedule, and I struggled to keep it all together. But this day was to be different. In sharp contrast to the countless task-filled days before it, this particular Saturday promised to hold twenty-four hours of no obligations and no stress. My husband was making repairs to the house we were selling a few blocks away. Our teenagers were visiting friends in a neighboring city. In the house that morning, it was just me and the Lord.
I rose from my bed and was greeted by the aroma of the jasmine-scented candle I had lit the night before. You can always tell when you have quality wax — the smell lingers long after the flame burns out.
I walked into the master bathroom and filled the tub with a combination of bubbles and Epsom salt, a refreshing balance between spa-like luxury and down-home healing. It was my first real day of rest in a very long time, and I was determined to give my body and mind the break they both so desperately needed.
Afterwards, I situated myself on the soft leather sofa in our living room and settled under my favorite blanket, the smell of fabric softener meeting my nose, and I felt my body relax.
Then the doorbell rang.
I’m not expecting anyone, I thought to myself. Both startled and slightly irritated, I walked to the door. Through the peephole, I saw the niece of a friend, a young lady in her early twenties who was relatively new to the area. I had met her once several weeks before, and she had confided in me then that she was having problems with her mother and that things weren’t going well at home.
I was surprised to find her standing at the door, but I invited her to come in. She looked at me and apologized for visiting without calling first, but I assured her it was okay. She shared how she felt like her life was spiraling out of control. She had dropped out of college and had been struggling to find a job all while being in a toxic relationship. She was lost and alone, needing someone to hold her hand and guide her along.
“I am old enough to be your mother, so I’m going to talk to you as though you were my own daughter,” I told her.
Over the next three hours, we cried, we laughed, and we prayed. She thanked me for allowing her to vent, and though I had planned to spend the day resting, I was grateful I got to extend hospitality to someone who had an even greater need and that I got to open my home to her as we both opened our hearts.
Before I placed my head on the pillow that night, I thanked God for the opportunity to be a small ray of light for someone whose path had become so dark. My body was tired, my mind was weary, but it was well with my soul.
Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Romans 12:13 (NIV)
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Rashawnda,
Like you, I’ve been in that situation in which I’m just looking forward to some uninterrupted “me” time. I’ve greeted interruptions with the same irritation and yet those uninvited interruptions wind up being awesome time spent in the presence of the Lord….just not in the way I would have done it. Funny how God works. I guess that’s why He’s God and I’m not. How good of you to be there for that young woman. I’m so thankful that God doesn’t get irritated when I do life my way and then when it doesn’t go well, I come knocking on His door with my sorrows and complaints. He is a good, good Father. Thank you for modeling and sharing His love.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Rashawnda Dunbar says
Bev, thank you so much for your comments. It’s great to know that God doesn’t see our many knocks on His door as interruptions. Instead, He graciously welcomes us whenever we call. An awesome Father is He!
Jas says
Thank you for sharing this great post, God bless you for giving of your time and support for that young girl – it’s such a good model that we should all follow. Helping those in need when we ourselves are weary, God steps in and gives us the strength and uses us to do his good work and/or be of comfort to those who need it.
Rashawnda Dunbar says
Very well-said, Jas! Just when we think we have nothing left to give, he shows up, rejuvenates us, and blesses us to pour into others!
Michele Morin says
This post fits in so beautifully with Jen’s message in Just Open the Door, and it’s a flashing light with sirens for me, because I’m perfectly fine with hospitality on my own terms, following my agenda (and my invitation!). It’s this very thing, the unexpected guest when I had other plans, that would send me over the edge.
Thanks, Rashawnda, for modeling a godly response.
Rashawnda Dunbar says
Hi Michele! I’ve always been like you: fine with hospitality on my own terms! I thank God for teaching me to embrace others, even when it’s not a part of my plan!
Elaine Warren says
Thank you for sharing your heart and praying with the young woman who turned up at your door. What good is our lived experiences and wisdom if we don’t pass it down to the next generation? God created that space of time just for that purpose and You Accepted(!) with Grace.
Rashawnda Dunbar says
So true, Elaine! He really does bless us to be a blessing to others. I’m so humbled and thankful He chose to use me that day.
Kathy Cheek, Devotions from the Heart says
I love that your impromptu hospitality was perfectly planned by God! What a beautiful story!
I had a similar experience just walking to the mailbox one day and a young girl, a stranger walking past our house, obviously upset and crying, and I reached out to her and wrote a post about it last fall. It was impromptu front porch hospitality, also ordained by God in His perfect timing.
http://www.kathycheek.com/2017/10/perfect-timing.html
Rashawnda Dunbar says
Hi Kathy! I love this, “front porch hospitality” —- how awesome!
Carol Foose says
Rashawnda, How I would love to have you for a neighbor! May the Lord help me to follow your example and be that friend that is needed. God bless you and than you for sharing.
Penny says
Rashawndwa,
It’s a blessing that you were there for someone in need, thank-you for sharing with us.
Have a blessed day all,
Penny
Rebecca Jones says
Glad you could help her, so often it is telemarketers who interrupt my prayer time.
Kelly says
This is a great story and is it the whole story? Many hard working, packed scheduled, competent, tired women love their neighbours, their loved ones and don’t get enough rest or self care and end up taking it out on their loved ones. I know this from personal and professional experience as a therapist. It’s great to practice hospitality and it’s great to have boundaries. I wonder if there was a hidden cost to this story.
Beth Williams says
Rashawnda,
In this crazy, fast paced world we all have times when we want to be alone. We don’t want any interruptions & get upset when they come. If we aren’t careful we could miss out on a God ordained opportunity. I have personally had many interruptions-most coming at an inopportune time. I got up, sometimes reluctantly & took care of the situation. In the end I was glad I got up & helped out. We both got blessed. When we open up our homes, we open up our hearts to one another. Thanks for being willing to op en your home & heart.
Blessings 🙂