The Upper Room Daily Devotional from The United Methodist Church of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Thursday, 16 November 2017 "The Candy Lady" by Tracy Crump (Mississippi) - 1 Peter 4:8-11
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DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1 Peter 4:9 (NIV))
Everyone at my church loves to see Cindy coming. Before worship, she walks around the sanctuary with a tin of assorted candies. Talking and laughing with people as they find their seats, she offers treats to everyone in the congregation. Her container overflows with peppermints, butterscotch, and lollipops. A bag containing sugar-free candy dangles from her arm, so no one is left out.
Watching Cindy each week, I marvel at what a simple but important ministry of hospitality she started. She saw a small opportunity to serve and has stepped up to take it. Along with candy, she hands out smiles and encouragement. And I can’t think of a more inviting way to approach visitors. No need for questions — Cindy merely holds out her tin and becomes instant friends with everyone who walks through the door. Ministries don’t have to be big or complicated.
As we grow in love for God, our love for God’s people grows, too. It was this love Peter wrote about when he instructed his readers to show hospitality to one another. Peter told them to use their gifts in service. We too can offer the gift of hospitality.
Everyone at my church loves to see Cindy coming. Before worship, she walks around the sanctuary with a tin of assorted candies. Talking and laughing with people as they find their seats, she offers treats to everyone in the congregation. Her container overflows with peppermints, butterscotch, and lollipops. A bag containing sugar-free candy dangles from her arm, so no one is left out.
Watching Cindy each week, I marvel at what a simple but important ministry of hospitality she started. She saw a small opportunity to serve and has stepped up to take it. Along with candy, she hands out smiles and encouragement. And I can’t think of a more inviting way to approach visitors. No need for questions — Cindy merely holds out her tin and becomes instant friends with everyone who walks through the door. Ministries don’t have to be big or complicated.
As we grow in love for God, our love for God’s people grows, too. It was this love Peter wrote about when he instructed his readers to show hospitality to one another. Peter told them to use their gifts in service. We too can offer the gift of hospitality.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
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1 Peter 4:8 More than anything, keep loving each other actively; because love covers many sins.[1 Peter 4:8 Proverbs 10:12] 9 Welcome one another into your homes without grumbling. 10 As each one has received some spiritual gift, he should use it to serve others, like good managers of God’s many-sided grace — 11 if someone speaks, let him speak God’s words; if someone serves, let him do so out of strength that God supplies; so that in everything God may be glorified through Yeshua the Messiah — to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.
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How will I offer Christian hospitality to someone today?
Visitors to my church
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Link2Life - November 16 BY TRACY CRUMP (MISSISSIPPI)
Tracy with her grandchildLike most parents, I became an expert on unconditional love the moment I had children. Those innocent newborn eyes captured my heart, and as my daughter-in-law said recently, “I would literally lie down on the train tracks for that child.” Then I had grandchildren, and oh, my goodness! I could kiss and snuggle, read books and play games, and shower those little ones with love. It only got better.
But no matter how much we love our children and grandchildren, God loves each of us more. Yes, He has to discipline at times, but his love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). God created us and then turned around and redeemed our lives with his. He really did lie down on the tracks for us.
Now this is the hard part—God wants us to show that same love to others. Talk about difficult! I have no trouble when it comes to my sweet little grandbabies, but a grumpy stranger or a rude clerk? What about someone who really hurts us—the false friend or the unfaithful spouse? God doesn’t give us the option to pick and choose but instructs us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matt. 19:19). What’s more, all those who come to Christ in faith receive the Holy Spirit, so if we refuse to love a brother or sister, we’re refusing to love God.
Tracy and CindyIn my devotional, Cindy started a simple ministry to reach out to visitors at our church, welcoming them in love. I want to follow Cindy’s example and show that same kind of love to my neighbors.
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Header Photo Credit: "Harvested Land," Beth Shumate. August 15, 2014. (link)
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