Always Another Chance

   It’s been exactly one month since my last posting on my blog.  To those who have missed me, I apologize.  To those who didn’t realize it, I understand.  This season of Lent has been crazy, as usual for a pastor.  Add three funerals and a lot of sick people, and it sets up the perfect scenario for one to not have the time to post a blog entry.
    Over the last month I have found myself wanting to write something, but there is so much swirling in my head or I have found myself so tired that I can’t focus or don’t have the time.  And though frustrating, I simply didn’t write and promised to do it another day.  As I think about this, I realize that this is a pretty good analogy to what so often happens on our Christian walk, and what we’re called to avoid during this season of introspection.
    Think about it.  This is supposed to be a season where we take the time to simply “be” and to reflect upon God’s work in our lives.  Part of this means what we are called to step away from the craziness and make time to do the things that count.  In addition, this goes beyond just a season but it goes into all of life.  We take the time to do the essentials.
    Now I’ve certainly been thinking about God and taking time to be with God, and I’m not saying that the bloggisphere is the be all and end all.  I’m not even saying that the blog is a central aspect of spiritual discipline, but I am saying that far too often, I, and maybe even you, allow other stuff to push things out of our lives and schedules which may be more important.
    I have to say, I’ve missed this writing.  I’ve missed putting thoughts “onto paper.”  I’ve missed the vulnerability that comes with it.  I’ve missed the sense of connectedness that is inherent to the task, and when I reflect upon that sense of yearning, I realize that it is similar to the yearning to be with God.

    As so often happens, when life gets hectic, more than one area of our lives is affected.  Most specifically life, time, and energy at home are affected.  As it has been, it seems my family, including me, has been more in the mode of moving along day to day and connecting where we can, with the exception of my youngest child.
    Anna is five years old, and what has been wonderfully refreshing in the midst of my busyness has been her response.  Everyday when I come home, she either runs to the window or runs outside to greet me.  “Daddy!  Daddy’s home!,” she cries out, then jumps up in my arms as soon as I am close enough to her.  “I’m so glad to see you!,” she says, every day.
    As I think of her response, I can’t help but think that, that must be what God feels when we come home....

    There’s a well-known story in the Bible about a son who lost his way.  He receives the father’s inheritance early and squanders it on reckless living.  After he realizes that he has gotten lost along

the way, he returns home, ready to tell his father, “Just let me be your servant.”  The Bible tells us that when he was far off, the father ran to him, embraced and kissed him, welcomed him home, killed the fatted calf and threw a big party.
   
   There is grace in this story, and grace in the fact that there is always another chance.  These weeks have been a reminder to me, and maybe even for you, that despite our schedules and abilities, God is with us.  Even more amazing, God is anxious to receive us again and again...when we come home.