It’s unusual to celebrate Christmas a month after the original date. But our son Alex had to work in December and is with us now, just in time for Winter Storm Fern, another somewhat unusual occurrence. With our usual precautions—a whole-house backup generator and plenty of food—we were ready.

Weather and road conditions might extend Alex’s stay and our hospitality, which with kindness is also a Biblical tradition, as written in the Old Testament beginning with Abraham. Scripture also notes unusual wisdom and unusual miracles, highlighting God’s extraordinary actions and showing His work in distinct, powerful ways. Let’s look at these three concepts in Scripture.

Unusual hospitality and kindness

The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us. Acts 28:2 NLT

When Paul and his companions were shipwrecked on Malta, the native people showed unusual kindness to them by building a fire and providing shelter from the cold rain. This verse highlights God’s providence through strangers’ hospitality to travelers in distress. The message is one of compassion, action-oriented love, the welcoming of strangers, and divine provision—all in contrast to expectation. 

Meeting others’ needs can open doors to spiritual ministry, as Sue Donaldson shows in her newly-released book Never Alone. Donaldson is an extrovert, but my introverted mother had the gift of hospitality as well. A little unusual since she was shy, but she always made things special for her guests. She set out her china for holiday meals, a centerpiece and other thoughtful things. At the elementary school where she taught, she’d decorate the teachers’ bathroom with strings of mini-lights, tea towels, humorous posters, anything to make it a special place where her fellow teachers knew they were cared for, especially on the tough days. My mother was my teacher, and showing was the way she taught.

Unusual wisdom

God gave Solomon unusual wisdom and insight, and knowledge too great to be measured. 1 Kings 4:29 GNT

God gifted Solomon with unusual understanding, empathy, and knowledge. As with all divine gifts, Solomon’s wisdom was given to him to serve God’s purpose, to glorify God and benefit the people of Israel through wise leadership. 

Recently, I read that the definition of the virtue humility is having an accurate view of yourself. My usual is to accurately see my deficits and downplay my spiritual gifts. It’s unusual for people to say, “I have the gift of generosity,” or “I have the gift of discernment.” God gifted my husband Keith with both. He has no problem stating and using his gifts—and pointing out those he sees in others. I love recognizing others’ gifts, too, for I like my mother am also a teacher.

Unusual miracles

showing God working in distinct, powerful ways beyond the ordinary. Acts 19:11 NLT

In this verse, God performs the unusual in Ephesus through the Apostle Paul. He used Paul as His instrument to heal the sick and expel evil spirits, to draw people to Christ. These signs validated Paul’s authority as an apostle, his message and mission, especially among the Gentiles.

Those who are in Christ see God’s hand everywhere and in everything. But we humans tend focus on unusual disasters instead of seeing miracles all around us. In fact, many people do not believe in them, as if all could be explained through human effort. 

But we too can be God’s instruments by using our gifts in ordinary, everyday ways for His unusual, sometimes miraculous purposes.

Linkup with Five Minute Friday

Subscribe to Notes from Vanaprastha Podcasts on my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CaroleDuff

Subscribe to Notes from Vanaprastha: https://caroleduff.com

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carole.duff2010/

Subscribe to my Friday Happy Hours Substack: https://substack.com/@caroleduff305076