Entertaining Angels

Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! - Hebrews 13:2

Monday was a good day.  I really felt all there.

The sort of day when I get time to wash and dry my hair.

I took out the recycling and I mopped the kitchen floor

I washed a load of laundry and I hung out a load more.

The children were all fed and washed, and clothed - before midday -

I thought, I’m ready now, if someone wants to come and stay.

I knew a guest would be impressed with my housekeeping flair,

I’ve heard I could be entertaining angels unaware.

I waited for an angel, but it really was a shame;

I wasted all that housework, ‘cause the angel never came.

This afternoon I’d had the kind of day I really hate.

I was still in my pyjamas and the kitchen was a state.

The children hadn’t slept, and they were acting really loopy,

and one of them had hit her brother with a plastic Snoopy;

The baby climbed the stairs unseen, and, though he never falls,

He did find all his sister’s pens - and used them on the walls.

I reached a pan from a high shelf, it fell down with a clang,

It landed on my foot, I swore - and THEN the doorbell rang!

I didn’t answer at the time, and later when I checked,

They’d given up and gone.  It was those angels, I expect.

Then later on, I thought about how Jesus was a guest,

He visited two sisters, his best friends, to have a rest.

While Mary sat and listened, Martha couldn’t find the time.

I wonder whether Martha had a day a bit like mine.

And I’m sure she wished that Mary would get up and do her bit,

But Mary knew that it was more important just to sit,

For Jesus loved to see them, and that’s why he came to stay,

and it was never very long before he had to go away.

Next time I’ll ask those angels to step over the debris,

I hope they will ignore the mess and spend some time with me.