“The the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:37-40 (NIV) / Pixabay

The invite came unexpectedly, in a round-a-bout way, but there I was: a young first year teacher without a place to stay, far from everything and everyone familiar, in the home of people I didn’t know. Scared and lonely, I sat stiffly on the end of the couch while my hostess busied herself in the kitchen preparing supper for her hardworking farm family.

In those first days of my teaching career I LEARNED more than I ever taught! In the classroom I learned I had A LOT to learn.  On the farm I also learned I had a lot to learn! Did you know that male and female cattle have different names?  That sheep are born with long tails that are cut off while they’re young?  I also learned to drink sweet tea without making a face, that farmers can pile their plates high with food without spilling it, and so much more. But most importantly, I learned that being invited to stay for a few days was really an invitation to be loved and cared for. I was from a different world: a stranger, but you would have never known.  In a short time I went from being an unplanned guest to part of the family.

I’ll always be grateful for those first days on the farm.  They are some of my fondest memories.  And oh….. The brave teacher/farm wife who so kindly took me in?  Well, she’s been my mother-in-law for 34 years now! When I said “part of the family, I meant PART of the family!

God put me in the right place at the right time with the right people.  All I had to do was accept the invitation.  I’m so blessed I did! What is He inviting you to do?