In the Image of God's Love

This is a photo of Mrs. Beena Varghese, our hostess, at the 'home-stay' (Varnam) we stayed at while on our trip to Wayanad in Kerala (India).  She has been a very gracious hostess, accommodating us with the utmost care, cheer and consideration.  She and her family went out of their way to give into our every whim; even picking up a specific type of coffee for me from the store.  On the first day we stayed there, we decided to have a barbecue session, requesting them to provide us with two chickens (chopped) and with a sheet of wire mesh, as the barbecue stand we brought along with us apparently was missing its grill rack.  And sure enough, they had everything ready for us by evening.  Later that day we had a wonderful barbecue party along with our hosts and other guests who stayed there.  I really appreciate the warm friendship and love they extended out to us.   I realized there is something we could all learn from them.  It was not about the money.  They were simply being who they are; warm, caring, loving and giving people.

Today I praise God for Beena and her family, and for giving us an opportunity to experience God's love through them and the way they looked after us.  I pray that God blesses them abundantly, and no matter what trials and difficulties they go through, I pray their smiles may be ever radiant, and grace abundant.

You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  (John: 15: 14, 15)