Are you like Mrs Aquila?

The first time she was mentioned in the Bible was alongside her husband.

After this [Paul] departed from Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently arrived from Italy with Priscilla his wife, due to the fact that Claudius had issued an edict that all the Jews were to leave Rome. And [Paul] went to see them, And because he was of the same occupation, he stayed with them; and they worked [together], for they were tentmakers by trade. (Acts 18: 1-3 - Amplified - italics, mine)

When we read this passage as part of our Women's Bible Study at work, the first thought that dropped in my mind was: "Priscillia - or Mrs Priscillia Aquila (for those of us who like titles) - was a rather, in fact very, gracious hostess - to accommodate she and her husband's professional colleague." That thought was closely followed by an introspective question: "How far am I willing to go (& give or even give up) to support a "new-to-town" professional colleague?

Now I don't know if you know this, but I was surprised the first time I heard that:

The only reason why you can cook several live crabs at the same time is because when the water starts heating up and one tries to climb out, the others pull it back into the water. Now I don't know if it's true but if it is can you just imagine it?

Unfortunately, I see many demonstrations of this "crabby" & grabby nature in church - where some people feel they are the only ones entitled to the "good things" of life. This is totally unChristian. When I see this, I ask: "What can I do as Mrs. Pastor?" We should complement, & also compliment, not compete with each other.

Borrowing a leaf from Priscillia, I have decided not to relent in supporting those who are new-to-town - irrespective of the profession or church they belong to. My prayer is that by my conduct, others will be encouraged to do the same...