Two summers ago, at the height of one of the worst droughts our state has ever experienced, an out-of-control forest fire swept over the foothills of the Rockies, devastating a large residential area of our city. In a matter of a few hours, 360 houses burned to the ground, and an estimated 20,000 people were evacuated with little but the clothes on their backs.


Emergency shelters were set up across town to house evacuees. But the local news reported they went largely unused. Why? Because so many good people offered their guest rooms, their sofas, their kitchens and bathrooms to those whom tragedy had struck. In many cases, total strangers slept under one roof. (No doubt many became lifelong friends in the process!) Cars lined up to donate to food pantries, and haggard firefighters returned to their stations to find home-cooked meals waiting.


What a wonderful testimony to the world! Jesus instructs His followers to show hospitality to others in all circumstances. And He is pleased and glorified when we do so.