Clapping

Clapping.
With Antioch and work and stuff I had to step down from assistant coaching cross country this year at the local high school. What a tough decision. I love those kids. We ran together. We played together. They were over at my house all the time. They still come over, just in the middle of the night to ring my doorbell and run:) And vice-versa. These kids are like family to me.

Anyways, today was my first chance to come back to practice and stay for a little bit. So I walk up into the mezzanine where they stretch. The coach was talking as they all lined the wall. Then when they saw me. Clapping. That's what I heard. Not a huge clapping. Just that, Hey-you've-been-away-for-a-while-and-it's-good-to-have-you-back kind.

Isn't it amazing? That feeling that you're presence is good to someone else. That someone else knows you. That someone cares when you're around.

Sometimes I wander how many people don't have this. They feel alone. Even in a place crowded with people, alone.

If you left and came back to a group of people after a duration of time away, would there be clapping?

Here's my answer for anyone reading this. Yes. Simply Yes. The Bible talks about celebrating on someone's return. Jesus says that one person returning to God sets heaven into an intense party celebrating that person's act of coming back.

Why?

Because that is where we truly all belong. With God.

There is no one who knows you better or has been with you more. He even knows your thoughts and words before you say them. If you don't think so check out Psalm 139.

Let me say this clearly: You are important to Him.

It doesn't matter how far away you go or how long it takes. Jesus came here and died so that you could come back. And when you come...clapping.

You're wanted.