You Have A Visitor

Luke 1:39-57

Yesterday, I got an email from a parent of one of our church teens in which she apologized for her son not replying to an earlier email. Her apology was something like, "I'm sorry he hasn't replied yet. Ever since graduation he's done nothing but sleep in til noon, lay around, and play video games." My reply to her was that I'm glad he's still a teenager and for her to hold on to these times as long as she can. Soon that teenager will be an adult and it all changes.

I still remember the first adult conversation I had with my parents. I had called home to say hi, mostly because I was thinking about my parents and wondering if they were okay. My dad answered and I asked how they were doing, let them know I was okay, caught them up on my life since the last time we spoke, then said goodbye. I didn't ask for anything, which I think puzzled my dad. It was a good feeling to just talk with him without an agenda or request.

When our son moved out it was heart-breaking for my wife. We both knew it was time for him to move on, seeing how he was in his mid-late 20's, but I guess we weren't really ready for it. He and his girlfriend moved in with a friend to share the rent, which is pretty much how I started my adult life away from home.

My wife and I talked, reassuring ourselves that if he ever called for help we would do what we can for him. He would call, see how we're doing, catch us up on his life since the last time we spoke, then hang up. He never really asked for anything, but still my wife and I held true to our commitment.

Then one day, almost 2 months after they moved out he asked if he could come over to visit. Of course we said yes. That night as we sat around the table to share a meal I could see just how filled with joy my wife was that he was home, even if for only a few hours.

I think it's the ones whom we long to see that we become excited about visiting us the most. This, I believe, is what Elizabeth must have felt when her cousin Mary came to visit. Not so much because it was Mary who said hello, but because she could sense the presence of the one all of Judea has been waiting for; the Messiah.

I don't speak about it often, but there was a time in my life when I felt I had everything - a good job, a happy marriage, a nice and humble home. But I can honestly say there was something missing. It's when I went back home to God's house that I understood what that was. It was the excitement God felt when I came to visit.

God waits for you to come home. In the time being at least give God a call to say hello and let God know you're doing okay.