Unexpected Hospitality

She was obviously having a bad day. As we waited in long line at a local sandwich shop, I noticed her looking at her watch often, fumbling through her purse looking for something important, and noticed the stressful look on her face. All the sudden the purse tipped out of her hands and the contents spilled out on the floor. She sighed heavily, bent down and started to collect her items and hastily put them back in her purse. I’ve had days like that before, haven’t you?

I didn’t know her, but from the medical uniform she wore, I knew she was in the nursing profession and obviously needed to catch a quick lunch so she could get back to caring for patients who would need her to be on her best that day.

As I ordered my sandwich, my prayer thought was “God, she could sure use a break today”. That prayer thought quickly brought a response of “Then why don’t you give her a break?”
What was I to do? She was a stranger in a food line. What could I do that could possibly help?

I opened my purse to pay and noticed I had a little extra cash that day. I quickly and quietly
told the cashier that I would be pay for both my lunch and the nurse’s lunch. The cashier caught my desire to be anonymous and quickly rang up both lunches. I paid and left the restaurant asking God to use that simple gesture to help that nurse know how much she is appreciated and needed by so many.

Romans 12:13 tells us to “Share with God’s people in need, practice hospitality” . What that means is that we are to show brotherly love to strangers. What can you do today for a stranger that will show them God’s love?

We all hold keys to opening more doors for families in medical crisis. How can you help strangers facing a medical crisis in Tulsa?

Volunteer at Hospitality House in a capacity that you are skilled and passionate about.

Organize a supply drive in your workplace, school, or church.

Consider supporting families in medical crisis through:
o Monthly donations to HHT
o Matching funds opportunity through your employer
o Become a legacy supporter through estate planning.

For more information on how you can unlock doors for medical families, contact us at
918-794-0088 or www.hhtulsa.org