The Day Jesus Came To My House

I got a message from the Lord that He was going to visit me today. In my house. In person. Wow.

I rush to pick up the dishes from breakfast and sweep the floor,

Then I meet Him at the door and greet Him joyfully.

“Come on in, Lord,” I say with a sweep of my arm. “Sit here. I hope You don’t mind the old couch. Do you want some coffee? It can’t do any harm.”

“Tea,” He says. “That’s what I’d like.”

So I brew Him up a cup of my special Good Earth tea and pour it into a china cup I have reserved for special people.

I’m a little nervous and rattled, I must admit, as I try to please the Lord. I brush back my hair and wish I’d dusted.

That I’d had time to comb my hair and put on my make-up and choose a better shirt.

And that I’d worn something nicer than these awful jeans!

But I needn’t have worried as He doesn’t seem to mind.

He is at rest. His eyes are kind as He watches me and drinks His tea.

“Well.” I plop across from Him, shoving off the cat. “What can I do for you?” I hope I don’t sound too pat or hurried.

***

“I just wanted to spend some time with you,” He says in that slow, thoughtful way of His. “I love you, you know.”

I nod. “I know, Lord. But I’m so busy these days. Everyone is. It’s just our way.”

He doesn’t comment.

My mind drifts and my eyes slide to my Ipad.

I wonder who has posted on Facebook,

And who has liked the pictures I put up there last night before I went to bed. And what’s for sale. I’m looking for a new couch and put in a bid on one.

I have a full day ahead, and I haven’t had my shower. I can’t help but think of all the things I have to do today.

A dentist appointment,

then I have to clean the church since it’s my turn this month,

I should make some cookies for the Bible study tonight,

then a hair appointment.

After school, I have to drive Alex to his soccer practice,

And make sure Emily writes those thank you notes for her graduation gifts.

I have to get something out for supper.

What will we have? I don’t have anything thawed out.

“…and so I thought we’d talk some, just you and I.”

I look up and nod.  I’d almost forgotten Jesus was sitting across from me,

and I didn’t hear His last statement.

I nod, “Oh. Yeah. That’s great, Lord. What do You want to talk about?”

Before He can answer, My smart phone buzzes. I pick it up from the end table,

and while trying to listen to what Jesus is saying, I glance at it.

A text from Jim. “What’s for dinner?”

I text back, “Meatloaf?” I know he doesn’t like meatloaf, and it’s our little joke.

Jim’s text comes back swiftly. “Great. Was going to take you out. Heard of a new restaurant. But if you want meatloaf, then that’s what we’ll do.”

I can’t resist answering. “Restaurant sounds nice. I’m all for it. But Alex has a game tonight.”

“…the depths and the wonders of God’s love and all He has done for you.”

Again I only catch the tail-end of Jesus’ statement.

His penetrating gaze unnerves me.

***

His deep brown eyes are filled with tenderness, longing, and yes — reproof.

He knows I’m not paying attention. “Would you rather I leave?”

I’m appalled. What would I tell my friends on Facebook and Linkedin?

That Jesus had come to my house in person,

But because I was so inattentive to Him, He left?

I gulp. “Oh, no. No. I’m sorry I got a little distracted. But that’s how we are these days. So busy.”

I sigh wearily and sneak a glance at Him.

He’s still looking at me in that way, loving me, yet like a Parent looking at a child who’s not doing what is right.

I squirm. “Okay. I’m all yours. What do You want to say?”

He sighs and sets down His tea cup. “Well, this might take a little time. Are you sure you want to listen?”

“Sure. Fire away.”

My words sound harsh to my ears, and they reveal that I’m getting a little tired of this. Of sitting here and doing nothing. Of the way He talks. Of what He talks about.

***

None of it seems to matter in my life.

It’s like the sermons in church.

I doodle on the bulletin

While my mind drifts to other things.

I don’t mind the singing. That’s entertainment.

And I don’t mind the little skits they put on,

or the announcements, or the offering.

But the sermon is boring. I can’t see how it fits with the rush of life when you have kids and

a husband and a house to run. And work. I’m a substitute teacher, which takes a lot of time.

When the service is over, I sigh and collect our things.

Now I can get about the real business of life.

Jesus continues his monologue about spiritual things.

Sin. The Spirit. Doing God’s will. Working for the Kingdom.

My eyes slide to my Ipad. He gets up and walks to the window, still talking.

While He’s doing that, I open the Ipad and peek at it.

Yes, twelve people have liked my pictures on Facebook. I check to see who they are.

Scrolling down, a picture catches my eye. I make a comment on it with a smiley face And scroll on.

***

Suddenly I catch the tail of his last sentence, “…soon. I can’t wait much longer. Will you be ready?”

He turns and impales me with that searching gaze of His.

“Uh…ready for what, Lord?”

I lay aside my Ipad and ignore the ring on my smartphone.

It’s just a friend, and she talks forever about nothing.

A smile flits across His face, but His eyes are sad. Sad and disappointed. He looks at the Ipad and the phone. “I see you are busy. I’d better go.”

“No. I’ll pay attention. I promise.”

But the phone rings again and this time it’s Alex.

I wonder if something’s happened at school or if he’s sick.

“Just a minute. I gotta take this.” I lift the phone to my ear and look up.

Jesus is gone.

Alex’s voice comes to me on the phone. He forgot his gym clothes. Can I bring them to him?

I say, “Yes,” and hurriedly end the call.

I search the house.

The yard.

Even look down the street,

Yes, Jesus is gone. I go back inside. It feels empty and lonely. There’s the chair He sat in. The cup He drank from. I touch them longingly. My smart phone buzzes.

Suddenly I want to throw it out the window.

The Lord of all creation, the King of the Universe, The Savior of my soul, My best friend forever came to my house but I was too busy for Him.

Too busy with my gadgets, my plans, my things. My life is too full. I’ve marginalized Jesus.

I kneel on the old carpet beside the chair where He sat and slowly tears begin to stream down my face.

My words are muffled in the stained fabric of the old  chair.

“Jesus, please come back to me. I’ve shoved You out of my life. My mind is too full of Facebook, Pinterest, Linkedin and Google Plus. My schedule is too full of appointments, email,

maintaining my possessions. Its too full of work, and movies,

and running helter skelter for pleasure. My pleasures. The things that please me.

Suddenly I see how selfish and stupid I’ve been, living on crusts of dry bread instead of feasting on the riches of His grace and love.

My voice grows stronger as I pound a soft cushion.

“Lord Jesus, I long for You to invade me, to fill me, to draw me closer to Your side. Bring me back to the real things of life.

Please, God. Show me how to find You in the midst of what I call living.

Forgive me for being too busy for You.

Cleanse me by the blood You shed on Calvary.

Change me by Your Spirit and Your Word.

Make me ready for Your soon return.”

***

If Jesus comes again to my house, I want to be ready for Him. I want to welcome Him with open arms and a heart of love and devotion. I want Him to see that my most treasured moments are with Him and His Word. I want to give Him room in my heart, and I want Him and His work to take priority in my life.

If this article has touched your heart, please SHARE it with your friends and write to me. I’d love to hear from you.