I was late to training camp.
Leaving that morning, I forgot to factor in the time change. Throw in some heavy traffic and instead of arriving between 4 and 5 that evening, I got there at 6:30.
Oops.
I wasn’t sure what reaction to expect. I didn’t know what I had missed. I didn’t know what everyone would think. I was definitely nervous. I didn’t know if I was going to be behind everyone else. I didn’t know if they would be mad at me. And admittedly, after a 9 hour drive, I didn’t feel very good with a sizeable headache.
But let me tell you, I have never experienced such a welcome in all my life.
I arrived just in time before the group started worship, and while the other squads rightfully had their minds occupied with what they were preparing for in the days to come, it was clear that my squad only had eyes for me.
All 9 of my squadmates stopped everything they were doing and lined up by the door to welcome me. Never have I walked through a tunnel of people before as if I was being welcomed to the field like a player on a team. But that is exactly what was happening. I was being welcomed into this team.
And as I walked in, stunned and definitely overwhelmed, all I heard was someone shout “She’s finally here!”
In that moment, you should know that I was excited and loved every bit of it. But apparently my face did not communicate that at all. I guess my face betrayed the other parts of me that were tired and overwhelmed and a bit frightened and unsure. Oh well. Those feelings were real too.
The joy in the group was palpable. And it was clear from moment 1 that these 9 people had already formed an unbreakable bond somehow. And yet, they wanted me to be part of it. Without hesitation, they wanted me on their team. It didn’t matter that I was late. I was already set aside as part of their squad and they had been waiting for me. They had a place for me. They wanted to know me. They wanted to help me (because the main part I did miss was setting up my tent in the daylight; yay for head lamps!).
In that moment, and for the rest of camp afterward, they were a true image of God to me.
Because as I sit and think about it, I’m reminded of so many stories in the Bible where God said that’s how He sees us. The parable of the lost sheep (Matthew 18: 12-14) and the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) just to name a couple of them.
My squad showed me how love works in the Kingdom of God. You’re never too late. God is always waiting for you. God always has a place for you. Without judgment. Without scorn for the things you didn’t do or the mistakes you made. He simply wants you in His family. He wants to pour love over you. He wants to throw a welcome party so lavish we can’t even fathom it. If you haven’t made the decision to follow Jesus, it’s ok. He’s waiting for you with open arms. He’s looking for you, actively seeking to bring you into His wonderful, majestic dwelling place. You’re never too late.
Let me say that again.
You’re never too late.
