Various holidays offer hospitality opportunities. Or, we may cultivate friendships throughout the year. And, a barren woman from Shunem did exactly that. With her husband’s approval, she prepared an upper room for Elisha (Elijah’s successor). Later, Elisha desired to reward her kindness and prophesied that she would bear a son. So the following spring, Elisha’s words came true. When the child grew older, he began working alongside his father.

One sweltering day, the lad experienced excruciating headaches. He was carried home and placed on his mother’s lap. At noon he died. Briskly, she carried her son upstairs and laid him on Elisha’s bed. Without delay she found Elisha among the workers, summoning his help. Elisha ran back, walked upstairs alone, and shut the bedroom door. After extending himself atop the body, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, and hands to hands, Elisha exhaled, breathing life into the lifeless boy. Overjoyed, the thankful mother received her son back to life again.

Similar to the Shunammite woman, our benevolence toward others is noticed by God. We are to be generous, tenderhearted and humble in-service to those in need. Although Elisha and Elijah worked great miracles, a greater Prophet was sent from above. With far-reaching, nail-pierced hands extended, Jesus’ blood took away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

Today, God welcomes everyone,’not willing that any should perish’ (2 Peter 3:9). Perhaps like the prodigal son, you need perfect love. If so, our Father longs to hold you. “The eternal God is your refuge, and His everlasting arms are under you” (Deut 33:27).