While traveling alone, a woman stops for the night at a hotel only to realize God has an important assignment waiting for her.

Pam left her suitcase in the car and hurried into the hotel foyer, dodging the rain as thunder boomed and rattled the windows. Traveling alone made the long drive home from visiting her grandchildren rather challenging, but she enjoyed the freedom of stopping when she was ready. When the heavy rains had collided with the darkness of night, she was more than ready.

Pam waited at the front desk as a child’s cries echoed from the lobby, where a young woman wearing a messy bun held a toddler with sweaty red cheeks and wild eyes while a little boy in pajama pants and a hoodie watched a cartoon on the screen above an unlit fireplace.

“It’s okay, baby,” the woman said, rocking the child. “It’s just a storm.”

“Good evening,” the hotel receptionist said with a smile as phony as his tan. “I apologize for the wait. And the noise.” He glanced to the lobby. “Apparently, they’re waiting for someone. I wish someone would hurry up.”

Ignoring the snide remark, Pam glanced at the family, her heart hurting for the young mother, and whispered, “I hope so, too.”

After settling the particulars for a single room for the night, Pam took her key card and followed the directions to the elevators, where a man with a cart holding towels and toiletries whistled. Pam found it odd that housekeeping would be working so late.

The elevator doors opened with a whoosh, and the man smiled before following her with the cart, asking, “What floor?”

“Seven, please.”

He pressed the button, and as the doors began to close, the thunder rumbled, and the child in the lobby screamed. Pam whispered a prayer.

“That’s good,” the man said. “You praying like that.”

Her cheeks warmed. “I feel so bad for that young mother.”

“Yes. She’s trying to distract her kids.”

“I understand. Thunder scares a lot of children.”

The man sighed. “She’s trying to distract them from another night in the car. They’ve been homeless since their landlord kicked them out after she couldn’t make rent for the third month in a row after losing her job. No family. No friends. Just three precious souls feeling unwelcomed in the world.”

Pam gasped. “I had no idea. I’ll keep them in my prayers.”

The man stared as if searching Pam’s soul. “And yet, you could do more.”

The elevator doors opened onto the seventh floor. Pam’s heart pounded. She couldn’t bring herself to get off, so the man pressed the first-floor button as if reading her mind. After stepping off, she turned back to him, but only the cart remained in the elevator.

“There you are,” a frazzled woman said, spotting the cart. “My son’s last week in housekeeping, and he keeps hiding things just to mess with me.”

The woman disappeared down the hallway with the cart while the mirrored elevator doors closed, leaving Pam to face her reflection. Shock and disbelief stared back until she realized she’d been given a divine task. Quickly, she returned to the front desk.

“Is there a problem?” the receptionist asked.

“Yes,” she whispered. “I need another room with two beds.”

After taking care of the details with strict orders to keep things anonymous, she ventured to fetch her suitcase since the rain had slowed, and when she returned, the young mother was at the front desk, her face buried in her hands as her shoulders shook.

“Mommy, don’t cry. You were right!” the little boy said, tugging on her arm, the toddler watching from a car seat. “You said God would send someone, and He did! He did!”

Pam’s eyes burned as the tears began to sting, but not enough to miss the receptionist handing the woman a tissue as his bottom lip quivered.

The following morning, Pam reveled in the sounds of the small family’s giggles over cereal in the dining area until the words returned to her heart: And yet, you could do more. So, she threw away her trash, found management, and finalized the specifics with strict orders for things to remain anonymous.

After checking out of the hotel, Pam overheard the conversation between the mother and the manager.

“I don’t understand,” the young woman said.

“There’s no need to check out at this time,” the manager said gently. “And if you’re interested, we have an opening in housekeeping.”

“We can stay?” the boy asked. “And have breakfast every morning?”

Pam stepped outside, thanking God for choosing her to be someone to such a precious family while wondering how many others were still waiting for someone to do more.

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4 NIV.)

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“Waiting for Someone” is published in the July 2025 issue of The Outreacher Christian Magazine. Thank You for this blessing, Lord! And thank you to Julie Schultz for allowing me to be a part of such an incredible ministry!

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