A few days ago I had to do blood work. Something has been on my mind ever since and I just feel compelled to write this. I was sent to the same place where cancer patients are sent for Chemo. As I sat in my comfortable, reclined, hospital chair listening to my headphones and partially reading my book I couldn’t help but to notice the patients there getting Chemo. As I watched the bravery on their faces mixed with a bit of anxiety my heart started to feel heavy. My eyes started filling up with tears because God started to show me the beauty in mankind. From the elderly man that has lost all of his fingers to the middle aged man that sat there with no one by his side to comfort him. I watched the wife that sat next to her husband with such love and care.
Today I went back to that hospital for a doctor’s appointment and as I sat in the waiting area I noticed someone in a wheelchair struggling to open the door. Without a thought I quickly jumped up to help him. He looked at me with surprise and said, “Thank you”. As I smiled and told him you’re welcome I started to wonder if acts of kindness aren’t often displayed to this man. As he sat in his wheelchair in the waiting area we began to talk. He told me everything from where he was from and what his profession was. As he reminisces on his past to me I listened and shared with him where I was from. This elderly, disabled, man seemed thrilled to have someone to talk to. I again began to wonder what has happened to the kindness of mankind. God has allowed me to see others through the eyes of Christ. We all need love. We are all connected. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. I see the beauty in us all. I am sharing all of this because my eyes have been enlightened to a particular scripture in the bible.
Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.
I know that many of us show kindness or hospitality on a daily basis. For those that do I hope that this scripture becomes alive in you. Can you think of a time when someone was placed in your path and after your experience with them you thought, “Wow”. Sometimes life can be too busy focusing on the next task, trying to get to where we’re going, or just not being aware of our surroundings. I'm sure we've all been guilty of it at some point in our lives. What I have learned from it all is to slow down, take in the world and people around me, and pay attention. I no longer walk through my busy life like a zombie focusing on what I have to do next; I walk this life with an awareness of everything around me and seeing the beauty in it all! Life and everything in it seems so much more beautiful!
Here is a beautiful song link that reminds me of the possiblity that strangers can be angels.
http://youtu.be/ENwLytFFPP0
1 Corinthians 13:1-8a and 13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails....And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (NIV)
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