The Stranger’s Guise

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2 (NIV)

How do we treat strangers? I am extremely cautious. I watch and listen while my internal radar kicks into gear. Does my vigilance prevent me from making friends? I’m not sure but for me, I know it is self-preservation. It isn’t an act of snubbing or being better than others. Chances are we miss great opportunities as Susie Colby (All God’s Creatures) explains in her insightful devotion.

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Our own kids have grown up, but a happy gaggle of neighborhood children has set up camp in our treehouse. When a pair of crows began building a nest in a lower, large limb, my husband, worried the birds would attack the children, called our birder friend Andy. “Don’t disturb the crows,” Andy warned. “Crows never forget a face. You will make enemies for life if you evict them.”

So we waited and watched. As the hazelnut tree began to leaf out, kids continued to inhabit the tree—playing on the platform, shimmying out on the branches, and swinging from the rope to the ground below the nest. To our astonishment, the crows—who swoop upon joggers and dog walkers—tolerated the kids. Throughout the summer the birds and kids coexisted peacefully in the tree. Like the crows, the children exhibited territorial behavior among themselves, posting “treehouse rules,” but they accepted the crows without question. The crows belonged there too.

There’s a tendency to vilify crows, especially when they raid our garbage or lunch or attack to ward us off. But our resident crows had something to teach us. Despite obvious differences, these crows accepted the children as part of their extended tree family; in turn the neighbor kids enjoyed the crows rather than fearing or despising them. The crows and kids assumed they all belonged in the tree, and in fact they do.

I determine to be more crow-like in my acceptance of strangers of all sorts, including those I might be tempted to consider threatening. Next year when the crow family returns to its territory, the birds will be welcome guests. Or perhaps we have been their guests all along.

And the Lark said in her song, Often, often, often goes the Christ in the stranger’s guise.  —From an old Gaelic rune.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Heavenly Father, thank You for all the lessons You teach through nature. Help us to be more trusting and crow-like. We have nothing to fear with You walking beside us. AMEN.