When I was a child, I attended a Bible School where the theme was being ready for Jesus to return. I remember vividly a skit performed one morning about a family who had a very messy home. Jesus knocked at their door and they had to scurry to put dishes away, pick up toys, and sweep the floor. They were embarrassed because they were not ready for Jesus. Then, there was a family who picked up their toys every day, washed the dishes right after meals, and always had a tidy home. When Jesus knocked on their door, they were able to open it gladly and not be embarrassed.
This skit has stuck with me through the years and often, I’ve thought about how I’m not ready for Jesus to return. I can’t even handle impromptu company, let alone Jesus! This past year, the level of mess in my house has increased exponentially. I have four young children at home all the time and watch two extra little ones two days a week. My house is NEVER ready for company! There are toys scattered around the house, dishes on the counters, crumbs everywhere, and unexplained sticky spots on the floor. It’s easy to look at my home and fret about the mess.
A few weeks back, there was an incident where my 15 month old got a hold of a strawberry, took a bite, dropped the rest, stepped on it, and tracked red juice across the white (although already stained) carpet. I had to try hard not to cry when I saw the mess. I got him cleaned up, got the three little ones to bed, and started scrubbing.
The red tracks were right in front of the door and as I sat there spraying and dabbing over and over, I glanced up the door and though, “oh, I hope nobody walks in that door right now.” The skit from my childhood came back and I envisioned Jesus walking through the door. This time though, instead of feeling ashamed, I realized that if Jesus walked in my door, He wouldn’t look at the mess. He would see my heart and my love for Him. If Jesus walked in my door, I would jump up and welcome Him with open arms and He would love me just the same!
Jesus’ love for you is not determined by the state your home, or even the condition of your heart. Romans 5:8 says that, “God demonstrated His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God’s love is not based on anything we do or do not do. It just IS. God knew I needed that reminder that day while cleaning the tiny red footprints off the carpet, and I hope if you need that same reminder, you hear this today. God loves you. He loved you before you were born, He loved you in your sin, and He loves you as you come to Him.
Beautiful testimony. I’m sure all of us who aren’t perfect home makers have felt the same way at times. The reminder is very good!
And somehow, I’m sure that skit was intended as an analogy to remind us to keep our hearts and minds prepared, and not truly our homes. We just have to remember that.
What a beautiful testimony. It makes me think of Mary choosing “what was better.” She chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and spend time with Him.
All my life, I have felt like I need to clean up my “mess” and THEN I’ll be ready to come to Jesus. I am learning now that Jesus so willingly meets me in my “mess”. He is willing and waiting for me to turn to him when my counters or my mind are cluttered. He is ready to be with me as I clean out a closet and do the hard work of cleaning out my heart.
I think Diane is right, it was probably meant to be a metaphor, but it’s interesting what childhood events stick with you and how.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful testimony!