“Why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11

My wife was out of town with friends this weekend. That left me in a position my father used to refer to as “Baching…” his word for being a bachelor for a weekend. As I spoke about this in church yesterday, I ratted myself out with the fun I was having leaving the toilet seat up, dropping and leaving clothes and dishes anywhere, leaving fishing gear in the living room etc…etc! Everyone laughed because we KNEW what I was going to be doing that afternoon!

Thankfully, my ‘Bride’ being gone, then coming home, is a rare occurrence. To be honest, I don’t enjoy it. I LOVE being around her. When she is in the house, I put the seat down, kinda sorta pick up after myself and try to limit my piles. When she’s gone…what’s the point?

This is FAR too good a lesson to not speak about again. I had a general idea of when Katie would be coming home and KNEW what she likes when she is home. So time and tidiness converged into an afternoon mission. When she got here, the house was in order, the tub, shower and sinks all cleaned, and candles were burning! To be honest, she hardly noticed! Which was no surprise at all.

The REASON she hardly noticed was because it was pretty much like that before she left (sans bathroom fixtures). Knowing what she likes, and expects, plays a MAJOR role in how I live on a daily basis. It is the same in my relationship with Jesus Christ.

Grace and forgiveness mean just that. I am fully forgiven! Not so with my wife. Had I used her time away to indulge in seedy behavior thinking, “how would she find out?” is NOT an option. I’m far too old and tired for that kind of thinking. When it comes to my Christian walk, I realize I am not as mature!

Having received Christ as Savior makes me like a baby’s diaper…I am CHANGED. The stronger my relationship grows, the more mature I should become. THAT concept changes my behavior. USUALLY! But sometimes I live, and act, like I’m not connected to someone who’s values are higher than my own. When that happens…I KNOW it. Which motivates me to clean up my act.

So here’s the lesson….Jesus is going to return! What He finds me doing WILL make a difference in our relationship. Am I ready?