At one point in my life I lived in a rural area of Ohio. The years I spent there were special and I enjoyed the quiet life of small town living.

We lived in the parsonage behind the church building. There was a long driveway that led to our house and the driveway was lined with mulberry trees. I decided to collect some and freeze them for future use.

I had a men’s event at church to prepare for, so to save time, I placed a sheet under each tree to catch the falling mulberries. It had worked at least one other time, so I figured it wouldn’t be an issue.

As the men began to arrive, one of them pulled me aside and said, “The raccoons are enjoying your mulberries. Good thing you laid a sheet out there for them to eat them on.”

We both laughed.

I have entertained, hosted, and prepared events for many people through the years, but that was the first time (and only time) I’d prepared a meal for raccoons!

This story reminds me of a section of Scripture that speaks to several issues, but also speaks about entertaining angels unaware.

The author of Hebrews begins chapter 13 with an exhortation to love one another. “Keep on loving each other as brothers.” (Hebrews 13:1 – NIV) Then he goes on to tell how to show that love. This is what he said.

To Strangers

He begins with entertaining strangers. Hebrews 13:2 (NIV) says, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”

I believe this verse speaks to us as much today as it did then. We must show our love by sharing with others. Whatever it might be.

If you have opportunity, why not pick up an extra Christmas gift for someone in need? How about a fruit basket for your local firefighters? Something. Anything to show your love to another. It’s what God wants to do.

To Prisoners and the Mistreated

Perhaps those in prison are not on our minds as often as they should be. “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (Hebrews 13:3 – NIV)

This is a reminder that we should be praying for prisoners. It might be easier to remember those who have been mistreated, but this verse tells us that we should pray for them equally.

Remember, God sent Jesus to save everyone. It is His desire that no one person perish. No one.

To Our Spouses

Hebrews 13:4 is another reminder of how God honors marriage. We should honor marriage as much and He does.

“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexual immoral.” (Hebrews 13:4 – NIV)

In Our Attitude Toward Money

This passage (Hebrews 13:5-6) assures us that as we become dependent upon God for all we need, He will be there and He will provide. What we do have belongs to God and should be used for His glory and honor.

This passage also speaks to contentment. Content with what we have. Love of money will never show love to God or to others.

To Our Leaders

The exhortation in this section (Hebrews 13:7-8; 17) is to honor our leaders by living lives that show we belong to Jesus. Remember all they have taught. Imitate their faith. Obey their leadership. Do not be a burden to them. Allow them to experience joy.

All of this so that Jesus is praised for who He is!

To Ourselves

This may sound strange, but as our faith becomes deeper and we have a better understanding of God’s grace, our ability to love ourselves in our faith improves. We see in Hebrews 13:9 (NIV), “Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial food, which are of no value to those who eat them.”

The writer then goes on with a historical lesson of the high priest and then of Jesus’ suffering. As we know and remember what Jesus has done for us, we are able to love ourselves as He loves us.

Studying God’s Word will bring us to an understanding of His great love for us and because of His love, we should not be carried away by strange teachings. (Hebrews 13:9-14)

To God

Hebrews 13:15 (NIV) says, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.” Our message is to be God’s message. Our lives are to be living sacrifices of praise. Our lips are to confess His name. These acts will show our love to God.

In Prayer

The Hebrew writer asked for continued prayer in Hebrews 13:18-19. Not only for himself, but for others who had chosen a life of serving God.  He asked this group to pray for restoration.

How often to do you pray for those who serve you? If it hasn’t been for a while, why don’t you take the time now to pray? They would certainly appreciate it.

Just Do It

We see in these verses (Hebrews 13:16; 20-21 – NIV), that we should “not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

As we continue to do good, we are also equipped by Jesus and He will work through us to bring glory to God.

“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21 – NIV)

What great examples of how we can show love to others and to God. Maybe you’re feeling a bit disengaged with God or others. Perhaps you could choose one of these areas to work on during the remaining month of December. You will be rewarded with great joy and a greater desire to praise God through service. You’ll never know until you try it.

Well, after a good laugh about the raccoons, I came to a realization. The raccoons were eating the mulberries whether there was a sheet there or not. They had been enjoying mulberries for years from that tree. It was the tree farthest from the house or the church.

We enjoyed mulberry cobbler and pie throughout the winter that year. And I showed a little bit of compassion to that raccoon family.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna