A Disgruntled Dinner Host

A Disgruntled Dinner Host

Where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.

When an old friend called, my husband—ever the host—quickly invited him and his family over to our house for an evening meal. I was a bit disgruntled as I helped my husband prepare food and our house for company. But as soon as they entered our home, much of my bad mood lifted, replacing my annoyance with a feeling of peace and a sense that they were meant to be with us that evening.

As we shared a meal, we caught up on life and family. Then the conversation moved to faith—believing God for big things, experiencing changes of heart, and desiring nothing more than to be obedient to God’s call. We talked about our plans to move out of our neighborhood into the heart of our city, something we believed and had peace that God was asking us to do. Our friends nodded in agreement with a shared understanding, and they explained how they’d been having similar conversations with God, very much mirroring our own.

The hours seemed to move by a little too quickly, and soon dinner ended. We shed tears as we spoke honestly to one another about things that were on our hearts that we had yet to share with anyone else, and we ended the night by praying for one another, encouraging each other, and agreeing to get together again soon.

Later, I lay in bed pondering our conversation. I was once again struck by how God knows our need, even before we realize it. How he often brings people to us at just the right time, when we need encouragement and understanding—even on the nights we think we don’t want to host. I recalled Jesus’ words that when two or three of his followers are gathered together, he is there too. It was a reminder to me that I don’t want to miss the way that God will use friends to encourage me in doing his will.

— Kendra

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Invite a friend to dinner and share together what God is doing in both of your lives.