Entertaining Strangers

Entertaining Strangers

Originally published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Kindness Matters

Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have  entertained angels unaware. 

~Hebrews 13:1–2 KJV 

Rushing, rushing… always rushing! That was my life, rushing from one appointment or  obligation to the next… until the day I met Jim. 

That day started like most days for me. My husband, John, had an appointment at the  veterans’ medical center in Long Beach, California at 10:30 A.M. and a second appointment at  another VA facility thirty miles away at 1:00 P.M. 

On this hot summer day the freeway was packed, and an accident was holding up traffic. As we inched along, I realized we were probably going to be late for the morning appointment. It  is difficult for John to walk very far, let alone hurry. So, when we got there I pulled right up to  the entrance and let him out. Then I zoomed down the drive to look for a parking place. 

“Come on, God, help me find a parking place… please!” Divine intervention was the  only way I was going to find a place to park as I surveyed the cars filling every spot. I turned left  and started down the next aisle and then slammed on my brakes as an older man crossed in front  of me, leaning on his cane. Finally, I saw someone backing out of a parking spot and rushed to  pull in as soon as the other car was clear. 

I grabbed my purse and ran up to the medical center. I found John waiting, and we took  the elevator up to the fourth floor. By now, we were half an hour late, so we had to wait until  they could work him in. It was a lengthy wait, and we weren’t finished until after noon. 

Now, we were in danger of being late for the second appointment! “You wait here on the  bench by the door,” I told John. “I will go get the car and pick you up.” 

“Okay,” he agreed and sat down on the bench while I rushed off to get the car. I found the car, and as I backed out, I saw the same older gentleman I nearly hit in the  parking lot earlier now walk behind my car! What was he still doing out there? I started to leave the parking lot, but my conscience wouldn’t let me. I glanced at my  watch—yes, we still might be able to make the appointment if we left right now—but I couldn’t  leave until I knew the man was okay. 

I drove up and down the aisles looking for him but didn’t see him. Maybe he had found  his car and I could go pick up John. But then, as I drove down the last aisle, I saw the man sitting  on the curb, wiping his face with a handkerchief. 

I rolled down my window, and the hot air rushed in. “Are you okay?” I called out to him.

“No,” he replied without looking up. “I can’t find my truck, and I’ve been walking all  over this lot. I just had to sit down. I don’t know what to do.” 

I checked my watch; it was 12:20. Although time was ticking away, I felt like God had  literally put the man in my path twice and wanted me to help him. 

“Why don’t you get in my car, and we’ll drive around to find your truck.”

“I don’t want to bother you,” he said, shaking his head. 

“It’s no bother, and it will be a lot cooler in here,” I assured him. 

“Okay, thanks,” he said as he tried to get up. 

“Let me help you up.” I jumped out and went around the car to give him a hand. “My  name is Judee. What’s your name?”

“My name’s Jim, and I sure do appreciate this. I didn’t know what I was going to do. It’s  so hot out here!” 

He struggled to his feet, and I helped him into my car. “I’m so embarrassed,” he told me  as I got back in the car. “I’m eighty-six years old and normally very independent, but today I just  couldn’t remember where I parked!” 

“Don’t feel bad,” I told him. “These parking lots are huge, and sometimes I don’t  remember where I parked either. Now, what color is your truck?” 

“It’s white, and I remember the front was facing toward the street.” 

There were probably hundreds of white cars and trucks in the lot. This wasn’t going to be  easy. 

“Don’t worry, Jim,” I told him as I began driving slowly up and down the packed aisles. “We’ll find it.” 

We didn’t find his truck in that lot, so I drove out and into the next lot. As I looked to the  left, I saw my puzzled husband stand up when he saw me drive by. I was going to have some  explaining to do when this was over! 

We drove slowly through the second parking lot and then the third one. We were heading  down the last row when suddenly Jim shouted, “There it is! Right there, facing the street.” I stopped the car and got out to help him.

“I told you we’d find your truck, Jim.” He took my hand and got out, leaning on his cane.

“Gosh, I was never so glad to see that  old truck!” he exclaimed. “How can I ever thank you?” 

“Just give me a hug, and we’ll call it even.” 

He hugged me there in the parking lot and walked away to his truck. I waited to be sure  he got in okay, and just before he climbed in, he turned and waved goodbye. “God bless you,  dear,” he called out, giving me a wink and a big smile. 

As I drove back to the entrance to pick up my husband, I reflected on this encounter and  felt tears running down my face.  

“Thank you, God, for slowing me down and helping me remember what is really  important to you.” 

“Who was that man, and why are you crying?” John asked me. 

“It’s a long story,” I told him, “but I think God just sent me an ‘angel to entertain.’” 

~Judee Stapp