As you know, the city of Batesville is going to fall in the perfect sweet spot for this Monday’s solar eclipse. As such, we are expecting a tremendous number of visitors coming, not only to our state, but to our city in particular. Hotels here in town are going for, frankly, exorbitant amounts, and vacancy is scarce. Just for fun I looked up the cost for a Sunday-Monday stay at one hotel here in Batesville and the price was four times the usual rate. They’re not charging it if people aren’t paying for it. The city’s going to be full of people running into each other, bumping elbows, making small talk with strangers.
I can’t wait.
On the other hand, it might very well be that we have a larger crowd of visitors with us on Sunday, and that would be awesome. Brethren from other states might be traveling here to watch the show on Monday and will be looking for a place to worship. I hope they find us, and if they do, I know they’ll find smiling faces and well-wishers.
I’m reminded of the words spoken by the writer of Hebrews:
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
(Hebrews 13:2)
I know that’s in more of a “when someone comes knocking on your front door” sort of context, but it applies to hospitality in general. The Lord’s providence has put a golden oppertunity in front of us this coming week, to shine the light of Christ’s love in the middle of a darkened midday. Let’s take advantage of it!
~Matthew