Entire worlds open
Last week an online friend became a real-life friend who also happens to be sort of a cousin through marriage. We’re family now at any rate through the gift of hospitality. I share in gratitude and in an effort to encourage. Entire worlds open to those willing to enter.
Anna, my cousins’ cousin, told me almost a year ago that her door would be always open when we traveled through. I reached out for her help as we geared up to make a pretty quick trip to South Carolina and back. She found us lodging in her parents’ basement apartment for the night (allowing us to drive a little over half of our journey after church Wednesday night — we made our respite by midnight!), fed us breakfast the next morning, and filled our hearts for the road ahead. She kindled connection, and it was a grace.
We so enjoyed the children’s sense of hospitality, too. Despite the late night, Henlee and Anna’s youngest sister Carolina had an impromptu playdate at 7:00 a.m. Then, little Noah took great pride in showing Henlee all of his favorite play things. They were friends at first sight. Proximity made them playmates and co-creators. I wonder what it would be like if more of us adults took to such a life-way, such an orientation to one another.
You there, me here, let us befriend, are we not already?