National Shelter Day: Hospitality that Touches Heaven

Via TJC

“Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” ~Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Excuse me, sir… can you spare some change?”

We’ve all heard it. Maybe even twice in one day.

Before we do anything—before we give or say “sorry”—something happens inside of us. A tightening. A pause. A quiet internal wrestling. We must reconcile what we’re feeling before we act.

And that’s the hard part.

What should I do?

Will this help?

Am I making a difference… or enabling?

Am I being generous… or being conned?

Scripture does not ignore this tension. It speaks directly into it:

Care for the stranger among you.

Care for the widow and the orphan.

“When you did it to the least of these, you did it unto Me.”

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some have entertained angels unaware.”

Today we honor those who have reconciled the feeling—and stepped forward anyway.

Today is National Shelter Day.

In 2024–2025, approximately 771,480 people in the U.S. experienced homelessness—over three-quarters of a million image-bearers navigating uncertainty. Behind every statistic is a name, a story, a brother or sister.

In Tampa, Florida, one small ministry embodies this call: Sheltering the Unsheltered, Inc. Born on a faithful woman’s 70th birthday when she decided to hand out “blessing bags,” the effort has grown into weekly outreach serving nearly 100 neighbors with meals, hygiene products, housing assistance, prayer, and hope. What began as one reconciled heart became a movement of time, talent, and treasure.

They felt the tension.

They reconciled it.

They moved.

Daily Battle Order:

Ask yourself: What breaks my heart?

You don’t have to solve everything. You just have to reconcile the feeling and take the next faithful step. Start small. Test the water. Trust God with the multiplication.

Find an organization that is already walking toward the stranger, the widow, the orphan.

And if one does not come to mind, consider supporting Sheltering the Unsheltered (https://shelteringtheunsheltered.com) —or another local shelter in your own community.

Sometimes obedience begins with reconciling the feeling.