looking for a wife

Sunday July 3rd, Genesis 24: 42 “So today when I came to the spring, I prayed this prayer: ‘O LORD, God of my master, Abraham, please give me success on this mission. 43 See, I am standing here beside this spring. This is my request. When a young woman comes to draw water, I will say to her, “Please give me a little drink of water from your jug.” 44 If she says, “Yes, have a drink, and I will draw water for your camels, too,” let her be the one you have selected to be the wife of my master’s son.’ When looking for a wife for the child of Abraham who was to bring the hope and promise to the world, a promise that had been promised for so long, the servant was looking for someone with hospitality. Not just Miss Manners who knows the proper protocol. I dare say Miss Manners has never to my knowledge written about how to draw water for camels, but someone who, down in their heart, is a kind and hospitable person. What a wonderful trait to look for when considering the mother of the people of promise. Is this a trait, hospitality, that we instill in our children? In our society? In our church? I would hope so, though I fear it is not always the case. Being hospitable is a matter of welcoming the other and considering their contribution to your life as being worthwhile. It is to see the other as a brother or sister in Christ. And hardest of all, it is to accept the fact that once welcomed, things will never be the same in their life or in yours.