No, that’s not a typographical error. Usually the question is asked, “Is anyone there?” Yet with all of the popular web sites encouraging people to share the minute details of their daily lives, it’s apparent that there are indeed other people out there. We find, however, that when a situation calls for someone to come alongside and travel with us in order to lend direct help during a challenging portion of this path we call ‘life,’ that, while the ‘friends’ list in our
favorite social media site may be overflowing with name after name of ‘out there’ people, it’s not necessarily an indicator of the availability of a ‘right here’ person.
I believe that God, who longs to offer us a devoted, dependable relationship, is more a fan of porches which lend, when utilized, a much slower and more intimate opportunity for the development of honest community. In times past, it was common for people to sit on a swing or in a comfortable chair on the porch at the end of a long, hard and very busy day of work. After the supper dishes were washed and put away, people seemed to naturally gravitate towards the porch where they settled down to quietly talk of the days’ activities as well as of their goals and hopes for tomorrow’s accomplishments. The cooler breezes of the evening hours would chase away the heat from the day as they would watch the sun slowly sink lower on the horizon as it headed toward bed for the night. Spending time on the porch was a marvelous way to de-stress and unwind before turning in at the close of the day.
The front porch is the portal into the house proper that led to the inner recesses of the family dwelling. Should the weather suddenly turn inclement or the hungry evening bugs begin to nibble the porch-sitters, they would either retreat into the house (with any lingering visitor also invited to join the family if the good conversation was not yet concluded and/or if the visitor was deemed trustworthy enough to enter the sanctity of the family home), or else put an end to the visit thus sending the loitering passerby on their way either by speaking gentle phrases for them to "have a good night," or else by subtle body language that the speaker hoped the drop-in caller would take as a cue that it was time for them to leave.
At other times during the day, the porch was a good place to get caught up on the latest news with a passing neighbor and, if they were inclined to dawdle, were invited up onto the porch to “sit and talk for a spell” and would be waved into a waiting chair. If a chair was not available, the tread of a step would be utilized as a seat and a welcome resting place while stories were exchanged.
The front porch was used oftentimes to have a quiet talk with a young ‘un who was having difficulty making a tough decision or who had a challenging question that was in need of an answer. (The back porch was used for corporal punishment, when necessary.) It was also used as a comfortable spot to tend to portable work, such as mending, corn shucking, or whittling, or to listen to stories about what is was like ‘way back when’ that were full of wisdom tidbits that could be applied in some way to the present.
When guests came to dinner and it was time for them to leave, the host/hostess would walk onto the porch with them, then linger while conversations were finished and farewells exchanged. It was considered good manners and the sign of either fondness for, or proof of an enjoyable visit with, the departing guests for the host to remain on the porch first waving and then watching until they were out of sight. To not remain on the porch, or to shut the door quickly, was to let them know that their company was not enjoyed and that the hosts were eager (and therefore much relieved) to end the visit as rapidly as possible.
The front porch swing was frequently a place where courting couples would sit for hours talking while they got to know one another under the watchful ear of a chaperon who lingered just inside the house and sat by an open window so as to unobtrusively listen to the exchange of the couple.
The use of porches over time has diminished as the much cooler, air-conditioned indoors holds greater attraction over the not-quite-as-cool, open air environment of the porch. So, too, has the design of porches changed over time to reflect the waning usage of them as they have gotten smaller, many times being no larger than a step that is used to gain entrance into the house.
In spite of these changes, the desire for people to have genuine relationships and a true sense of community has not diminished one iota even though we are now more isolated physically than were our predecessors. While computer technology can be utilized to help foster relationships, it should never replace the personal interaction that’s needed in order to cultivate kinship.
History shows us that porches are not a creation of the developed world. In Biblical times, at least as far back as Solomon’s Temple, there was a porch that had to be crossed in order to enter the tabernacle courtyard. This courtyard was the place where burnt sacrifices were performed on the altar as an offering for various sins that had been committed by the
individual or community as a whole.
There is an encyclopedia definition of the word porch that I like: “Roofed structure, usually open at front and sides, projecting from the face of a building and used to protect an entrance.”
“Used to protect an entrance” to me conjures up a mental image of the Gatekeeper, Jesus Christ, who stands on the porch in front of the entrance to the throne room of grace (the Holy of Holies), the Father’s presence.
John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Jesus Christ offered Himself up as the perfect and complete sacrifice for our sins, and desires that all men come into this saving knowledge.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 [AMP] “For such [praying] is good and right, and [it is] pleasing and acceptable to God our Savior, Who wishes all men to be saved and [increasingly] to perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the [divine] Truth. For there [is only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself as a ransom for all [people, a fact that was] attested to at the right and proper time.” [Emphasis mine.]
He continues to this day to act as Mediator between us and God, always interceding on our behalf.
Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”
True relationship; the comfort of His constant, consistent presence in this life; the giver of wisdom for any situation we encounter; and a haven of refreshment whenever we choose to come to Him. All of this, and more, He offers us.
“Is anyone here?”
Yes, He’s right here. Come on up to the porch and sit a spell. He’s waiting for you.
(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)
favorite social media site may be overflowing with name after name of ‘out there’ people, it’s not necessarily an indicator of the availability of a ‘right here’ person.
I believe that God, who longs to offer us a devoted, dependable relationship, is more a fan of porches which lend, when utilized, a much slower and more intimate opportunity for the development of honest community. In times past, it was common for people to sit on a swing or in a comfortable chair on the porch at the end of a long, hard and very busy day of work. After the supper dishes were washed and put away, people seemed to naturally gravitate towards the porch where they settled down to quietly talk of the days’ activities as well as of their goals and hopes for tomorrow’s accomplishments. The cooler breezes of the evening hours would chase away the heat from the day as they would watch the sun slowly sink lower on the horizon as it headed toward bed for the night. Spending time on the porch was a marvelous way to de-stress and unwind before turning in at the close of the day.
The front porch is the portal into the house proper that led to the inner recesses of the family dwelling. Should the weather suddenly turn inclement or the hungry evening bugs begin to nibble the porch-sitters, they would either retreat into the house (with any lingering visitor also invited to join the family if the good conversation was not yet concluded and/or if the visitor was deemed trustworthy enough to enter the sanctity of the family home), or else put an end to the visit thus sending the loitering passerby on their way either by speaking gentle phrases for them to "have a good night," or else by subtle body language that the speaker hoped the drop-in caller would take as a cue that it was time for them to leave.
At other times during the day, the porch was a good place to get caught up on the latest news with a passing neighbor and, if they were inclined to dawdle, were invited up onto the porch to “sit and talk for a spell” and would be waved into a waiting chair. If a chair was not available, the tread of a step would be utilized as a seat and a welcome resting place while stories were exchanged.
The front porch was used oftentimes to have a quiet talk with a young ‘un who was having difficulty making a tough decision or who had a challenging question that was in need of an answer. (The back porch was used for corporal punishment, when necessary.) It was also used as a comfortable spot to tend to portable work, such as mending, corn shucking, or whittling, or to listen to stories about what is was like ‘way back when’ that were full of wisdom tidbits that could be applied in some way to the present.
When guests came to dinner and it was time for them to leave, the host/hostess would walk onto the porch with them, then linger while conversations were finished and farewells exchanged. It was considered good manners and the sign of either fondness for, or proof of an enjoyable visit with, the departing guests for the host to remain on the porch first waving and then watching until they were out of sight. To not remain on the porch, or to shut the door quickly, was to let them know that their company was not enjoyed and that the hosts were eager (and therefore much relieved) to end the visit as rapidly as possible.
The front porch swing was frequently a place where courting couples would sit for hours talking while they got to know one another under the watchful ear of a chaperon who lingered just inside the house and sat by an open window so as to unobtrusively listen to the exchange of the couple.
The use of porches over time has diminished as the much cooler, air-conditioned indoors holds greater attraction over the not-quite-as-cool, open air environment of the porch. So, too, has the design of porches changed over time to reflect the waning usage of them as they have gotten smaller, many times being no larger than a step that is used to gain entrance into the house.
In spite of these changes, the desire for people to have genuine relationships and a true sense of community has not diminished one iota even though we are now more isolated physically than were our predecessors. While computer technology can be utilized to help foster relationships, it should never replace the personal interaction that’s needed in order to cultivate kinship.
History shows us that porches are not a creation of the developed world. In Biblical times, at least as far back as Solomon’s Temple, there was a porch that had to be crossed in order to enter the tabernacle courtyard. This courtyard was the place where burnt sacrifices were performed on the altar as an offering for various sins that had been committed by the
individual or community as a whole.
There is an encyclopedia definition of the word porch that I like: “Roofed structure, usually open at front and sides, projecting from the face of a building and used to protect an entrance.”
“Used to protect an entrance” to me conjures up a mental image of the Gatekeeper, Jesus Christ, who stands on the porch in front of the entrance to the throne room of grace (the Holy of Holies), the Father’s presence.
John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Jesus Christ offered Himself up as the perfect and complete sacrifice for our sins, and desires that all men come into this saving knowledge.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 [AMP] “For such [praying] is good and right, and [it is] pleasing and acceptable to God our Savior, Who wishes all men to be saved and [increasingly] to perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the [divine] Truth. For there [is only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself as a ransom for all [people, a fact that was] attested to at the right and proper time.” [Emphasis mine.]
He continues to this day to act as Mediator between us and God, always interceding on our behalf.
Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”
True relationship; the comfort of His constant, consistent presence in this life; the giver of wisdom for any situation we encounter; and a haven of refreshment whenever we choose to come to Him. All of this, and more, He offers us.
“Is anyone here?”
Yes, He’s right here. Come on up to the porch and sit a spell. He’s waiting for you.
(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)
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