Today we had vanilla overcasts skies, so pretty with grays and blues and purple clouds rolling up together, joining hands, traveling across the horizon, keeping the sun at bay. The day is calm and quiet, filled with the songs of cardinals and doves and finches. I never see an overcast day as dull and dreary. I sit and observe to see how many colors I can find when the clouds pile up together. The breeze was stout at times and perfect for porch sitting. We really need a good rain but I hope Francine is kind as she blows through Alabama tonight and tomorrow.

Opened the screen door this morning to walk P and Kat had left me a prize, a big fat dead chipmunk. Guess that’s a peace offering, asking for more chow. Stew fed her and I fed her so she got her fill today. Our conversation this morning — “You feed Kat?” “Yes I did.” “So did I.” We had the same conversation twice. Guess one of us has to decide to be the official Kat feeder. Think I’ll turn over the feeding to him.

Kat makes biscuits all day long, sitting or standing, her little white front feed are kneading her biscuit dough. She kneads her biscuit dough on our legs, too. Thought I had outsmarted her when I sat with both legs up in the swing but she just stuck her paw through the swing slats on the back and made biscuits on my arm. It’s annoying but she’s a sweet little Kat. She touches my heart when I think of the time she was without a home. I just wonder what happened to her. She’s so needy.

Just opened the windows in my bedroom and the temperature is wonderful. I can feel the breeze as I sit and type. The insects’ night symphony music brings back memories of sitting with Chief and his family on their front porch in Alex City. Long before we fell in love, I spent many Friday nights with them and had supper. They welcomed me as one of their own. I can hear the screen door slamming now as his sister went in for another cup of coffee. We’d sit out late on the porch and Chief would follow me home when I left to make sure I got home safely to my apartment. He’d sit in his car in the parking lot till my apartment door shut. Always the Southern gentleman.

I’ve perfected the art of going out the screen door to my porch with my breakfast plate in one hand, coffee cup in the other, a slight kick to open the door, a harder kick once I step on porch to be sure it closes close enough to keep Balthazar out. And I have to be careful to not spill the coffee. Kinda like a ballet dancer. The music of a slamming screen door is a thing of the past now except maybe on a few lake or mountain cabins. We’re all locked and double bolted in our homes now. Not very welcoming to unexpected visitors.

When I was a child we ran in and out of the house and the door slammed behind us all day long in the summer. The screen door was a welcoming place in the deep South, just holler when you reached the door to make your presence known. In safer times you just walked on in saying, “Hello!” Oldest brother still yells through the screen door when he walks on the porch. I love it. With no air conditioning our screen door here was always open and welcoming to our neighbors and friends till the cold of winter came. It’s still that way now.

“Hospitality is an expression of kindness that brings joy.” — Unknown

Through all his travels and ministry, Jesus was dependent on the hospitality of others. God says hospitality isn’t just for unexpected visitors. We need to seek out opportunities to demonstrate our hospitality. Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector, was rejected by society, but Jesus invited himself into Zacchaeus’ home to show others to have respect and compassion for those society frowns upon. Jesus showed his acceptance of someone who was regarded as an outcast and a sinner. I imagine Zacchaeus was thrilled by Jesus’ visit.

Even though Jesus never had a home of his own he made others feel welcome and at home in his presence. God wants us to show hospitality to others regardless of their status in life. In 1 Peter 4:9 Jesus says, “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” I think hospitality is a characteristic of being a Christian. Bible hospitality is honoring God by obeying his commands as it says in Romans 12:13, “to contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”

God is the screen door to heaven, the door to everlasting life, always welcoming, always unlocked, with a good slam to announce our anticipated arrival. We don’t even have to knock. We’re always welcomed into the kingdom of heaven when we have God in our hearts and when we follow his teachings. He has prepared a place for us in his kingdom of heaven.

“The art of hospitality is a part of God’s work of love.” — Pope Francis