God shows no partiality… Romans 2:11
Years ago, in a bustling town on a wintry night, there was a young couple of humble means traveling and needing a place to eat and sleep for the night. The young man stopped at several establishments and knocked on doors, tirelessly explaining his situation; the owners’ hands were tied. In those times, they had no choice but to refuse him. Finally, a compassionate owner sent him to the back of the building to purchase food of questionable quality. He returned to his wife with the bounty. As the family ate, he realized there would be no lodging accommodations on this journey. There was no room in people’s hearts. This night the car would be their inn.
This man was my father.
As my brother and I ate in the back seat, our preschool minds were oblivious to the despairing heart that my dad shared with us years later.
If your heart were an inn, would there be room to receive someone who is different from you; someone that your environment may have taught you to reject? Despite your culture, despite your family, despite your friends’ quizzical looks, would you open your heart like the Good Samaritan? Jesus’ humble birth reminds us that even for His son, God does not show partiality (Romans 2:11), so neither should we. Jesus is calling us to invite all people in, to a place of loving warmth, hospitality, and peaceful rest.
thanks Terrri, for sharing a painful part o your life , and the beautiful story of Christmas, and the beautiful outcome of your story.
Thank you Pat! So thankful that God has brought you into my life. You are such an encouragement to me and everyone around you! Love you!
Beautiful thoughts, Terri! May we all take this to heart not only during this Chrismas season, but all year-round.
So true. Love transcends seasons…
Terri, this story breaks my heart. I just can’t comprehend how anyone could treat others this way, especially your sweet family. However, our God is powerful enough to use what the world meant for evil for our good by using your experience to point us toward Him. Thank you for sharing, Terri.
Isn’t God good?
Oh, Terri! I am in tears. This is a heart breaker. It’s hard to believe there were such times as these. I am older than you and it was probably much worse when I was a preschooler, but I didn’t have a clue. Thank you for sharing and pointing us to Him, who show no partiality, but invites all to come to Him.
Yes a glorious invitation to All. Blessings Gail!