“Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame” Psalm 34:5

As we drove to Davlekano, Russia, I was filled with mixed emotions. This was the place where my mother had spent the first 15 years of her life. But during the Russian revolution, her family had fled to Canada and no relative had been back since then. I prayed that the Lord would connect me with someone who would remember our family. He answered in an amazing way.

At one of our meetings in Ufa, Russia, we were introduced to Romano, a pastor who offered to drive us to Davlekano and show us around the town. As we came near, he invited us to have lunch at their house and we readily agreed. First we stopped at a local store and bought a gift for his wife and found a bag of homemade cookies that were just like the ones my mother used to bake.

When we came to their house, Tanya, his wife, greeted us with a very friendly smile. She radiated Jesus Christ. Three years before she and her husband came to faith in Christ and their love for Him and others was very evident.

Tanya served us a wonderful lunch of salads, cucumbers, brown and white bread, potato soup, cookies and tea. The table was wobbly and the house was old, but clean. And it was obvious she worked hard to prepare for our visit.

I learned a lesson that day. It is not the beautiful home or elaborate preparations that make a person feel good about being in another’s home. It is the spirit of the people living in the home.

She was radiant and very welcoming. This woman, from another country, welcomed us like Christ would welcome us – like a mother welcoming us home.

We didn’t find my mother’s house, but we found love.

Father God, free us from the competition when we invite guests to our homes. Help us to welcome people with warmth and love. Help us to radiate and reflect You. Amen.

by Katherine Kehler
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Welcoming Gently

Welcoming Strangers

All Are Welcome

The post Radiant Woman appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding” Proverbs 4:7

“God hides some ideal in every human soul. At some time in our life we feel a trembling, fearful longing to do some good thing. Life finds its noblest spring of excellence in this hidden impulse to do our best.” — Robert Collyer

“God knows the secret plan of the things he will do for the world, using my hand.” —Toyohiko Kagawa

“Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul.  
Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.” —Pamela Vaull Starr

“Don’t doubt in the darkness what God has given you in the light.” — Dr. Henrietta C. Mears

“Success is not measured by what a man accomplishes, but by the opposition he has encountered and the courage with which he has maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.” — Charles Lindbergh

“What we are is God’s gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.” — Louis Nizer

“And along with the dream, will You give me whatever graces, patience, and stamina it takes to see the dream through to fruition?” — Catherine Marshall

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” Hebrews 12:1–2.

Father, help us to be wise. Amen

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

Further Reading

• Ask For Wisdom – by Kathy Cheek

• Fireside Wisdom – by Gail Rodgers

• Knowledge vs. Wisdom – by Alec Niemi

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The post Time to Reflect appeared first on Thoughts About God.