When my neighbor Betty invited us to go swimming in her pool
for the first time, we were a little unprepared for our experience. We opened
the gate and were greeted by a swarm of kids also enjoying her invitation. My
then eight-year-old son said, “I thought you said this was a private pool.”
From his perspective, it didn’t look any different from the pool at the YMCA.
That’s Betty.
The absolute definition of hospitality.
She doesn’t just tolerate all those kids high on popsicles―she
finds them blessings
As far as entertaining angels
unaware, she has probably done it. I imagine if Betty had an angel or two slip
into her backyard, she wouldn’t have noticed them in the crowd.
All Betty does is her way of
serving Jesus. Eightyish now, she hasn’t bought into the conventional wisdom
that says, hey, I’ve done my part, now let somebody else step in. She has no
sense of entitlement because of her age. Instead, she still serves and teaches
children in her church every Sunday. They love her as much as ever.
My granddaughter observed that
Betty is always thinking of what she can do for other people. If you’re around
her for any length of time, you see that.
She continues to decorate her home
at Christmas in such a way that it seems like a wonderland making you want to
linger in the wonderful sights and smells. She blesses others by making and giving away her lovely
gingerbread houses or some other handcrafted item.
Betty inspires me in so many ways.
In a few situations in my life, I
have been tempted to think I’m finished. But I think about Betty’s perseverance―how
she doesn’t waver from what she sees as her calling, how she lives out the
truth that we’re never done until we see Jesus. Because no matter what age we
are, God wants to use us for His purposes.
She inspires me with how she takes on projects and sees them through exemplifying Ecclesiastes 9:10, "Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might."
I love that woman. She is a rare
person in this world. I’m mighty glad and thankful she’s my neighbor.
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some
have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2 ).
“ . . . God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable: (Romans
11:29).