The doorbell rang as I was standing in the middle of the kitchen. It looked like a tornado had passed through leaving evidence of the morning routine before school. A mound of laundry occupied the space on my couch and my 18 month old sat on the floor with toys covering every inch.

I had just moved to the area and during a conversation at church had told a group of ladies to stop by for coffee anytime. 

Kelli had taken me seriously and here she was.

I opened the door and her big smile greeted me as she told me she was in the area and wanted to take me up on the invitation. This was not the way I had envisioned hosting my first guest, but I  opened the door and she had now entered my mess.

We walked through my living room and she looked straight ahead and out the window commenting on the view I had of Mount Rainier.

“Wow, look at that mountain”, and no she was not referring to my laundry.

I reluctantly took her into my kitchen, moved the bowls of soggy cereal from the bar, wiped off the crumbs of toast and a blob of jam.  She sat on the stool as I started to make the coffee. 

Conversation flowed, stories and history of the community were shared as we drank our coffee in the middle of the mess. I did not feel the need to apologize for the condition of my home. Kelli’s kind heart, genuine interest in knowing me and making me feel welcomed,  reassured that there was no judgement.

Her visit reminds me of the kind of relationship Jesus asks for. He stands at the door and knocks. Often I think that I have to have the house in order before I can let Him in.

But Like Kelli, He is coming to get to know me, to hear how I am and sit down right in the middle of my mess.

He is wanting to sit with you too, right in the middle of your mess. If you let Him in He will walk right through the chaos and see the bigger picture.  

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you will eat with me.” Rev 3:20

Our prayer time with Him is our way of saying, “Come in, let me move some of this mess aside and let’s talk”

18 years later Kelli still tells others that she will never forget the day she had the best coffee ever, right in the middle of my mess.

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