Mrs. Vearl Crane practiced hospitality. She walked beside others offering words of encouragement and hope. She was completely unaware of the impact of her kindness. Yet she made an eternal difference. Nineteen Sixty-Five, the year Debbie turned ten, was a banner year. It was the year that her childhood began its exit. That year, one of her father’s brothers stayed with their family for three months after his service in the army ended. During his stay, he gave free rein to his pedophile fantasies and systematically, unconscionably seduced and molested Debbie and her sister. Sunday morning, shortly after Debbie and sister told their dad what had been happening, they heard shouting coming from the basement office where their father confronted his brother. The door barely closed behind their uncle before their dad sought consolation in a six pack. Their mother’s broken heart found expression in hysterical sobbing as she destroyed the kitchen. They returned to school, and life went on – for everyone else. Inside Debbie’s heart the door of innocence slammed shut. Shame and confusion moved in and would probably have stayed forever if not for Mrs. Crane Mrs. Crane loved the Lord and was part of a church plant that was two lots over from Debbie’s house. Just before they began holding regular services, they conducted neighborhood Bible lessons to generate interest in church attendance. It was very successful, and many from the surrounding neighborhood became part of that congregation, including Debbie and her sister. When the church held Vacation Bible School that summer, Debbie memorized her first Bible verse. She had never read the Bible, and its words fascinated her. The Bible held the promise of something she had not seen much of at home – peace. Her parents were very productive and loving people, but church was not a priority. With her Father on the road six, sometimes seven, days a week and five children for her mom to keep track of, peace was not a hallmark of the home. In the fall, Debbie learned about something called Pioneer Girls (now Pioneer Clubs). She wanted to join so badly, but there was a cost involved for the guidebook and uniform, and her family didn’t have any money to spare. That’s when Mrs. Crane learned of her need, and not only did she offer to hand sew her uniform, she purchased her cap, her guidebook and her first Bible. Vearl knelt before Debbie pinning the hem on her dress. Debbie stood very still and savored the moment. The moment was so powerful so life changing that its memory would linger forever fresh in the mind of the grown woman that was yet to be. When the stitching was finished, kindly Mrs. Crane invited Debbie over for a final fitting. When she zipped up the back of the uniform, slipped the badge-sash over Debbie’s head and arm and reverently placed the cap on her head something magical happened! Debbie looked into the mirror and saw someone she’d never seen before. Suddenly, she moved beyond shame and entered a new room called “possibilities”. A month later, Mrs. Crane sat with Debbie in the sanctuary after a Sunday morning service, where she patiently answered all of her questions about the Bible and Christ and heaven. Then she gently ushered Debbie into God’s presence and lead her in the sinner’s prayer. Her gift of hospitality offered Debbie indescribable hope. It completely redefined her view of life. Her investment in a ten year old girl made an eternal difference, and it continues to touch those in whom Debbie invests. There is no substitute for the sense of support one receives in having someone come alongside. Accompanying someone along the way makes an eternal difference Have you ever had to take a trip and not had someone there to wave as you boarded the plane, bus or train? Acts 20:32-38, Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian Elders ends with this statement in v.38b, “Then they accompanied him to the ship.” In this verse not one or two people accompanying Paul to the harbor; more like a village. Paul had spent three years of his life working, eating, worshiping and living along side the people of Ephesus. They had become his family. Before heading to the ship and leaving them for good, he offered final words of admonition, encouragement and prayer. They, in turn, extended a beautiful gesture of hospitality by accompanying him (“seeing him on his way”) to the ship. There is no substitute for the sense of support one receives in having someone come alongside, whether they are standing in a terminal, a waiting room, a nursing home or a funeral home. Accompanying someone along the way not only adds a priceless dose of encouragement and strength during excruciatingly lonely or difficult times – it makes an eternal difference