“Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you.” (3 Jn 1:5)

Recently, an older gentleman with a small dog about the size of Lilly approached me when we were leaving the park after a walk. I needed to get to work and stopping for him was a minor inconvenience. But something about this man and his dog made me pause, and I waited for them to reach us.

His dog was interested in making friends with Lilly. To my surprise, Lilly stood still while the other dog greeted her. While this ritual took place, the man and I visited a bit. He told me about how he’d picked the dog up from a shelter, where she was taken after her elderly owner passed away. He went on to tell me he’d already had two heart attacks, and the daily walks in the park were part of his routine to take better care of himself and his dog. Even though the dog itself was elderly (in dog years), she was always eager to walk in the park with him.

Lilly and I watched as they got into his truck and drove away, and then we continued on our way. I knew one thing: If I had been alone, I never would have stopped to talk to him. I also knew this: He had needed someone to talk to, if only for a moment. Because our dogs broke the ice, I felt comfortable enough to come out of my shell and visit, giving him the moment of connection he needed.

We all need connection – it’s part of being human. As an introvert, I enjoy being alone more than other people do. However, if I go too long without interacting with another person, I begin to turn inward, and I don’t know how to dig myself out of that pit on my own.

Even though I see opportunities for connection all around me, I find myself retreating into my comfort zone. I don’t always reach out to others when I should. But with Lilly’s help, I’m finding it easier to connect with strangers.

Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” I had not seen that older gentleman before that day, and I haven’t seen him since. I’m not saying he was an angel, but I do think it behooves us to treat the strangers we meet along our journey as if they could be angels. When I think about people this way, I find it easier to treat them with kindness. Instead of turning away and ignoring them, I make an effort to speak to them. With the Lord’s help, I’ll continue to see these opportunities and not turn from them, but I will use them to show Jesus’ love to others.

Dear Jesus, thank you for opportunities to help strangers, whether that’s through a chance conversation or a deliberate effort to reach out to someone. Help me to be willing to leave my comfort zone behind to reach out to those around me and to show them your love. Amen.