Every year my family and I plan a family trip, and my dad is always in charge of getting the hotel reservations. Without fail, every single year, he procrastinates. As we were discussing our spring break trip and I began inquiring about his progress, he assured me that he ONCE again has upheld his title of the “ultimate vacation planning procrastinator.” He assured me though that there’s always Motel 6 because they leave the light on for you. He laughed, but I was not amused. Motel 6? I’d rather not. However, this got me thinking about that famous slogan “We’ll leave the light on for you” and how it relates to redemption.
A few years ago, every Thursday I would leave my house and my mom would leave the porch light on for me. Even if it was still light outside, she would leave it on for me. Why? Thursdays were not easy days for me. I went and spent an hour trying to conveying to a complete stranger why I felt so much guilt and shame, why I wanted to just die, why I need some hope. So leaving the porch light on was a symbol from my mom to me. Because Thursdays were hard days for me, she wanted to let me know that she was waiting when I got home, with open arms and an open heart. Like God.
There aren’t many people who will wait for us to get our lives together. Who will wait for us as we battle with alcoholism. Who will wait for us as we move from one night stand to one-night stand. Who will wait for us battling through daddy issues. Who will wait for us as we learn to love ourselves. Who believe in the power of redemption. But God does. He cared about you and I so much that he let his only son come down and die for you sins. He says in his word
"Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
So after a long day, God wants you to know he’s thinking about you, wanting you to come to him. He’s waiting to hear your heart. He’s ready to rid you of shame. He doesn’t regret saving you. God’s keeping the porch light on for you.
As you go through life’s struggles whether that be an addiction or just turning your back away from God, many people will walk out on you. Many people will turn off their porch light and act like your sins are too great to forgive, too great to redeem. But what if we all believed in that one person who seems unlovable? What if we invested in our spouse, friend or coworker despite their situation? A front row seat of God’s grace!
That doesn’t mean that things will be easy and there are still consequences for choices we make. But the person going through the struggle desperately needs your support. They need to know they’re not alone.
Like my mom, God’s porch light will be on as he waits for you to come home.
