Brightening the Corner Where You Are

by Kathy Eberly
kathy eberly

Last month my husband and I traveled out of state to visit the beautiful city of Atlanta and enjoy the Atlanta Passion Play which is put on by one of the largest churches in that area. I've been to Atlanta before but had forgotten the experience, it must have been unremarkable to me.

Except for getting lost (which I did numerous times during our stay), we encountered a many helpful people. I could enumerate all of the kind people we met along the way, however there were two women that really impacted me during this visit. We had had our tickets to the passion play for over a month and we were really thrilled that we would have the opportunity. I remember when we ordered the tickets online that we were specific in the time and day and of course when the tickets arrived by mail, we put the envelope in my purse and didn't open them until we arrived at the event. Oh, I know, that was not our brightest move. We simply trusted that they were right. We were seated in our seats at the play when the usher came up to us and wanted to see our tickets. Apparently we were in someone else's seats. It was then we realized that our tickets were for the previous week. I immediately went into panic mode, explaining to the usher that we were sure a mistake must have happened. She told me not to worry. Everything would be ok. She was correct of course. She brought the head of the ushering committee to us and he allowed us to remain in two empty seats. I remember very distinctly what this kind woman said, " The Devil doesn't want you to have a good day. Relax. You're here. Everything is going to be ok. " She was right of course and we did enjoy a phenomenal performance. I don't know this woman's name, but she definitely exhibited the love of Christ. At the same event we met another woman, Frances, she was extremely friendly and welcomed us to the passion play. When we explained that the reason we were in Atlanta was to see the play and also attend the large church, she invited us to attend her Sunday School class on Sunday morning. We thanked her for her hospitality and assured her we were interested.

On Sunday morning, we had no difficulty finding the church and we were ushered into the sanctuary. Everywhere we went in the church, people welcomed us, I guess we must have had the " visitor " look, you know the one--eyes wide open and looking like you're being led into the vast outdoors. The service was a moving sermon and I was blessed. As we were preparing to leave after the service I remember telling my husband that I had no way of remembering what the kind lady from the day before looked like when I felt a tap on my shoulder and I saw the same woman, Frances from the day before. She was extremely helpful. She ushered us to her class and introduced us around to others there. After class, she invited us to join her for lunch at a local restaurant. We were thrilled. Unfortunately, we got lost (once again) and we arrived too late at the restaurant to meet her.

These two ladies showed kindness to strangers and it reminds me of the verse in Hebrews 13:2 that says, " Do not be afraid to entertain strangers, for some have unwittingly entertained angels. " Though neither my husband or I are angels, my prayer is that I will reciprocate what has been done for me and make a stranger feel at home in my little corner of the world, like the song says, " Brighten the corner where you are. "

Article submitted Wednesday, April 14, 2010 & read 179 times.

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