Hello Friends,

What do you call your sisters in-laws?  I’m not sure there is a technical term, but I call them my family-in-law.   My sister Marie’s husband, Shawn, has a sister named Lynn.  Lynn has the gift of hospitality. Whether it’s at her home or somewhere else she always goes the extra mile to make sure people are comfortable and feel welcome.

 

Lynn and her family (one son, two daughters, two “in-laws”, and three grandchildren), along with Marie, Shawn and myself went on vacation together. She made she I knew I was a part of them, they all did really.  I am really grateful my sister married into such a welcoming loving family.

 

This is how God’s family should be.  Embracing each other like the family we are and encouraging the unbelievers to join our family.  Telling everyone about the God who loves them and died for them.  Showing the hospitality of Jesus. Jesus said “ come to me all who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest.”   Should that not be the catchphrase, so to speak, of the church?  Welcoming all her weary and burdened?  Offering the rest that we have in Jesus and the peace that he offers?

 

Who can you offer the love and peace of Jesus to today?  I know it’s not easy to witness to strangers.  But pray for God to show you opportunities.  Listen for that still small voice that whispers to your soul. I can’t tell you what it will say only you will know, but for me, it’s usually something like “talk to her” (while mentally pointing in ‘her’ direction).  Definitely out of my comfort zone, but who am I to tell God “no”?  I remember that old hymn that says:

“I, the Lord of sea and sky,

I have heard my people cry.

All who dwell in dark and sin

My hand will save.

I, who made the stars of night,

I will make their darkness bright.

Who will bear my light to them?

Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord.

Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord,

if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.”

 

 

So if God puts someone in my path, and tells me to talk to them, I do my best to obey and go (there was one incident recently I felt I needed to talk to someone but I was with Lynn and a few other people, the person I wanted to talk to was on the phone sounding very upset. I didn’t get a chance to talk to her before Lynn and family were ready to go, so I prayed God would send someone to talk to her, I pray whatever issue she had got resolved.  Had I been alone I would have waited, but felt awkward doing so with other people).

 

Listen for that still small voice. Pray for opportunities to share the light of Jesus. And be ready when God says “Go over there”.  Pray God guides your words in the conversation and go share about the greatest person to have ever walked on this earth. The greatest thing to ever happen to you.

 

 

I am a follower of Christ, I am not perfect, but I love Jesus.

Until Next Time,

 

Liz Allen