It was just a few days ago I woke up at 5:00 am. It was still dark outside and as quiet and still as it could be. I laid there in my bed for a moment thinking, why was I so awake so early? As I continued to lay there, I guess we all think of just trying to nod off and return to sleep because we feel that it is something we need at the time.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that I was not going to return to sleep this morning. So, I got up and walked into the living room and sat down in my recliner in a silent time reflecting on what may lay ahead of me on this day. I knew why I was awoken on this day at this time, but I just didn’t face it right away.

You see, I have been so sick with my cancer each day and the mornings were becoming a routine of getting up about 7:00 am and beginning my regiment of medicine that I take throughout the day until I go to bed at night. Before I became so sick and consumed with doctor visits and blood transfusions at the hospital, I would get up every morning and do my personal Bible study and prayer time.

It was a special time I had with the Lord and He with me. As I say there in that recliner, I knew it was Him that was prompting me to return to His Word and personal fellowship each morning despite what sleep I may miss or how I may feel. It was His call to me.

As I picked up my scripture that was sitting on the table next to me and opened it, it was as if God was saying to me, welcome back. You see, on the days I am very sick I force myself to walk out of my living room, turn down a small hallway, and head towards the front door of our home. Looking out through the glass window of the door I can see our front lawn and a tree we planted about a year ago.

Just looking out at that landscape would give me a boost of energy even in the most difficult time. It was life I was seeing; it was something that was not created by man but by our creator. The most amazing thing was that as I stood there for a moment, I knew that I could go a little farther. I could take just one more step. So, I turned the knob of the door and pulled it open feeling the brush of the wind now across my face as I would take in a large breath of air, receiving that feeling of newness of God’s touch for me.

As I stepped across that threshold and on to the small porch, I was amazed by what I now felt in that moment . . . where just a few seconds ago I was just viewing it through the glass. It took me back, for He took me back and gave me strength and joy and grace.
There is something about the sun when it shines on your face, it provides warmth and gives a taste of new life. There is a newness that takes place and it all begins on that porch.

I was told today that I have to go back to the chemo medicine I first received when I was diagnosed. So, I am going back on that medicine today. Sometimes in life we have to go back to something we tried once and give it a second chance, a second opportunity to work in our life. It may be something hard, but it is needed. Taking that step with God is most important to bring Him along the way.

What is it about being taken back to our porch sometimes that is so important? God has so many things to share with us each day. I’m sure it would amaze us at what extent His desired communication would consist of for each of us.

Why back to the porch?

I realized that this was an illustration to me to share. You see, each of us from time to time needs to be taken back to our porch. For me, it was His word and His mercy and His divine touch on my life as I stood on my porch taking in all of what He was pouring into me and letting me know that He wanted me back in His Word each day.

For you it could be: How do I get back to a prayer life? Am I listening for His word or spirit to speak into my life? How about, are the things of this world closing in and His spirit going dim or has my focus in my life turned to my problem and not the problem solver. Maybe it’s: Where is my strength today? Where is my joy today? I need an answer today!

Would you go back to the porch and ask: What have You for me to do next? Others may ask:  My financial burden is just too great, and I need your wisdom at this time. Going back to the porch (back to His omni-present spirit and just receiving what He has intended for us all along) is realizing how important returning is, in each of our lives each day. I want that complete peace; I need that touch right now.

Once you open that door and cross the threshold and take that step back onto your porch it all comes together, and you are where you are supposed to be and you know it. Then your answer will come and your heart within your soul will tell you that you are back, not only for yourself, but for those family and friends who we do not know where they are in their lives and relationship with our Savior.

Now, as I was standing on my porch, I looked down and lying at my front door was a mat that spelled WELCOME! 

God was telling me, "Welcome back, Tom. Welcome back to the porch!!" 

Zechariah 1:3
Therefore, say to them, "Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Return to Me and I will return to you.' "

2 Chronicles 30:9
For if you return to the Lord, your brethren and your children will be treated with compassion by those who lead them captive, so that they may come back to this land; for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn His face from you if you return to Him.

Lamentations 3:40
Let us search out and examine our ways and turn back to the Lord.