On Meeting Jesus

Returning home from a Christmas holiday, my family and I found ourselves enveloped in a raging prairie blizzard. We barely made it to the small town of Chamberlain. There we stopped with hundreds of stranded motorists. The hotel was full, and we couldn’t eat in the only restaurant because it had a bar and our children weren’t allowed in. So we sat in the entrance to the gas station. A shy man who was watching us came over and whispered, “You can stay at my house tonight if you would like.” Gratefully we accepted. Once there, he and my wife got a meal together and as our children automatically said a table grace, I saw tears slipping down the man’s face. Later, he found us all beds while he slept on the couch.

Next morning, as we resumed our trip home, I realized that we had met Jesus that night, present to us through that welcoming, gracious and kind man.

Today’s text reminds us that the gospel “has come to you.” God meets us in many ways with the gospel. Our family will never forget Jesus meeting us through that kind and generous man.

Gracious God, we give you thanks that you enter our lives in many and sometimes surprising ways. Help us each day to recognize the touch of your hand. Amen. — RN

Contributed by On Meeting Jesus

Returning home from a Christmas holiday, my family and I found ourselves enveloped in a raging prairie blizzard. We barely made it to the small town of Chamberlain. There we stopped with hundreds of stranded motorists. The hotel was full, and we couldn't eat in the only restaurant because it had a bar and our children weren't allowed in. So we sat in the entrance to the gas station. A shy man who was watching us came over and whispered, "You can stay at my house tonight if you would like." Gratefully we accepted. Once there, he and my wife got a meal together and as our children automatically said a table grace, I saw tears slipping down the man's face. Later, he found us all beds while he slept on the couch. Next morning, as we resumed our trip home, I realized that we had met Jesus that night, present to us through that welcoming, gracious and kind man. Today's text reminds us that the gospel "has come to you." God meets us in many ways with the gospel. Our family will never forget Jesus meeting us through that kind and generous man.
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