Writers 
LATE, BUT NOT LEFT OUT
I came late.
But I still came.
And that counts for something.
I didn’t have the right clothes.
Didn’t have the right words.
Didn’t have the right timing.
Didn’t have the perfect plan.
But I had feet that moved anyway.
I had a heart that didn’t quit.
I’ve spent so long watching from the door.
Watching other people walk in bold.
Watching other people get picked first.
Watching other people’s stories start
while mine felt stuck on pause.
Waiting to be perfect before I enter.
Waiting to be ready before I start.
Waiting to be healed before I serve.
Waiting to be chosen before I show up.
Like if I wasn’t 100%, I shouldn’t come at all.
But what if the door is open now?
What if the chair is empty now?
What if God is saying,
“Come as you are. We’ll work on the rest together.”
Late is not lost.
Delayed is not denied.
Behind is not buried.
Unfinished is not useless.
So I’m done waiting to be flawless
before I take the first step.
I’m done waiting for perfect conditions
before I plant in the soil I have.
I’m done letting shame talk me out of rooms
where grace is already waiting for me.
I came late.
With questions I’m still asking.
With fears I’m still facing.
With scars that are still healing.
With empty hands and a hopeful heart.
But I came.
And the One who sees in secret
is already making space for me.
He’s pulling out a chair.
He’s saving me a seat at the table
I thought I missed.
He’s not mad that I’m late.
He’s glad I didn’t stay away.
He’s not counting my mistakes.
He’s counting my steps toward Him.
He’s not measuring my speed.
He’s measuring my surrender.
So here I am.
Breathless, but present.
Tired, but trying.
Broken, but believing.
Confused, but coming anyway.
Late, but not left out.
Because grace doesn’t check the clock.
Grace doesn’t close the door at 9AM sharp.
Grace just opens wide
and says,
“There’s room for you too.
There’s work for you to do.
There’s love for you to receive.
You didn’t miss it.
You’re right on time for what I have for you.”
So I’ll sit down.
I’ll learn.
I’ll grow.
I’ll stay.
Because showing up late
is still better than never showing up at all.
