35 responses to “Testimonies from You”

1. 

   Wendy

   May 16, 2025

   Unfortunately, most of our experiences of offering hospitality to Kevan involve us inadvertently almost maiming or killing him.
   The first time this occurred, I was trying to warmly greet him with a big hug in a public venue. In my enthusiasm, I proceeded to knock his head straight back. This is problematic for Kevan, because SMA doesn’t allow for strong enough neck muscles to right his head on his own. I stepped away and with his head bent backward, he calmly asked if I would please set his head back up in its proper position. I obliged him by gently and sheepishly setting his head aright. Kevan calmly, with a hospitable spirit, carried on as though nothing had happened.
   On another notable day, Kevan and a group of friends joined us for a lovely evening outside on our second-story porch. Suddenly, to our shock, the porch floor caved in, just between the table and the door. Kevan was stranded on the far side, approximately ten feet above a cement slab patio. After much deliberation and a good deal of anxiety, we decided to get the 2×4 boards that Kevan uses to roll up stairs and into buildings. We placed these boards from the stable side of the porch, spanning the broken section, to another available door. The boards barely made it across with only about two inches on solid footing. We watched with fear and trepidation as Kevan—with one finger, a wing and a prayer—maneuvered his 400 lb motorized wheelchair across the great divide. He was only one slippery finger movement away from certain death. Inch by inch, he covered the distance with expert precision until finally, we let out a collective cheer of relief as he crossed the threshold safely. Kevan would indeed live to see another day—no thanks to us. He has graciously continued to be our friend, even coming back to our house despite the potential PTSD.
   If hospitality is a means of loving people well, making them feel comfortable, and being generous with them, then Kevan has done this countless times—even, or especially, from a place of need. Hospitality isn’t always about “doing”. Often, it has more to do with “not doing” the things that make others feel inadequate, embarrassed, sidelined, or hurt.
   I Corinthians reminds us, among other things, that love is not arrogant or rude; it is not self-seeking; it does not keep a record of wrongs (even when, in Kevan’s case, we could have caused his imminent death); and it doesn’t rejoice in the shortcomings of others. A generosity of spirit can go a long way toward engaging, welcoming, loving, and even healing another person. A posture of humility allows space to welcome and love others even when they have failed you or caused harm. We are all, always, the ones in need of this kind of hospitality.

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