The other day I was reading the book of Hebrews and read the following verse “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” What a great verse especially heading into the Christmas season.

I immediately thought of an incident that happened to me several years ago. A young man stopped in my office looking for a handout. I had wasted most of my day (felt like, most of my life) and my patience was wearing thin. As I was about to throw him out I was prompted by the Spirit to welcome him in.

I went to my desk grabbed my pocket Bible and put a $10 bill in it. I handed them to the young man and told him that I also wanted him to have this Bible. The young man pulled out the same Bible, tattered and torn, and said he had been praying for a new pocket Bible.

Obviously my struggles did not magically disappear by this event; in fact the worst was yet to come. God brought us together and made us both smile that day. I don’t know who was happier me or the young man, but I felt like I had been touched by an angel.

• touched by an angel