top of page
Writer's pictureMelanie Boutiette

Unexpected Guests


"I was in the middle of cooking..."

The doorbell rang right before lunchtime. I hesitated to answer as I was in the middle of cooking. After a late night, I was tired and still dressed in my pajamas and robe with disheveled hair.

 

“Who could that possibly be?” I wondered. Setting down my knife curiosity got the better of me. “Maybe it’s a package I need to sign for,” I thought to myself. Walking to the front door, I peered around the side through the glass windows. “Not the postman. Not a salesperson. No one is standing there with political literature. A woman obviously in her 60’s. Maybe she’s lost,” I mused while reluctantly opening the door.

 

The woman shyly smiled and then said, “This may be strange to you, but I’m looking for the Boutiette house and in particular Arthur. I’m driving cross country moving from Pennsylvania to California and he’s my long-lost cousin. I just thought I’d stop by to see if he lives here and if he’s home.”

 

I lit up and told her she indeed had the right house. I excused my attire and invited her inside and took her to the kitchen. I explained I was in the middle of preparing a crockpot meal and asked if I could finish it. While we conversed, I quickly assembled the food as she told me her story and relationship with my husband. Then I called Arthur to explain to him that our unexpected visitor and his cousin were at our home. Excited he replied he’d be home shortly. Then I learned she had a friend in the car too. So, I welcomed Jo inside as well. After a short conversation and settling them in, I quickly excused myself to change and get dressed.



"I was completely caught off guard that day..."

I was completely caught off guard that day and not ready for company. But it turned into a delightful day as Arthur and Kathy shared many childhood memories and stories of growing up. And after a short tour of our antique books and library, we went to a late lunch. Arthur shared more family stories and photographs he had in a memory book and on his cellphone.

 

It turned out Kathy, a recent widow, was also a believer so we shared stories of our faith and delighted to know that we had an eternal family bond. Arthur’s cousin showed up unexpectedly that day, but God showed up too. And even though I wasn’t quite ready for company, He had a plan.

 

Are you ready when Jesus shows up? Like Zacchaeus encountering Jesus on a dusty road one day in the Bible passage in Luke. Jesus said to him, “I’m coming to your house today!” Zacchaeus enthusiastically welcomed Him. When Jesus shows up in our life in those unexpected moments, those interruptions to our day, or our plans, do we welcome Him in?

 

I would have missed out on a great blessing had I refused to answer the door. And as Arthur exclaimed, “It’s a God thing!” when he reunited with his cousin. When God interrupts your day or your plans, He has His plans and blessings in store. Will you welcome Him in?

 


"Will you welcome Him in...?

Beloved:

 

When you open the door and open your heart to My little interruptions to your day, you can trust that I have a wonderful plan and blessing in store. Yield to Me beloved.

 

“When Jesus reached the spot, He looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ So, he came down at once and welcomed Him gladly.” (Luke 19:5-6)

 

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)

Commentaires


bottom of page