There are two sides to every door.
Today I came home from town and the porch door was open and the kitchen door was wide open also. My first thought was, ‘you’ve got to be kidding me, how hard is it to close a door?’ My next thought was, ‘I wonder what this will do to my heating bill?’ Notice it was all about me? I didn’t even give a thought to why or who went out the door and didn’t close it. Was it an emergency, or impatient people honking a horn hurrying someone along? Nope, it was just about how I felt, and would be effected by the open door. Now let’s be practical, anything could have come into that open door, and believe me, living on a farm the possibilities are endless. Now I am not just thinking about bugs and mice, but how many dead skunks have you seen on the road lately? Anyway, undesirables could have come into the house and dealing with that could have really spiced up a person’s day! Not only could any thing have come into the house, but anyone could have entered and posed a threat to the little ones who neglected to shut the door.
Doors play an important part of our everyday life. Doors let things in, and they let things out. A car door, keeps you safe while driving, and lets you out once you have arrived. Once an airplane’s door is shut, the cabin is pressurized and the door must remain shut until you are back on the ground safe and sound. To keep food fresh, freezers and refrigerator doors must be kept shut. I could go on and on about doors on everything imaginable, but I think you already get the message.
Some things have doors that are not so noticeable, like your heart. Once we let someone in, and they cause a hurt, we throw them out and close the door, some even throw away the key. Some people have what is known as a closed mind, meaning they are so locked up in their thinking, nothing can get in to change it even if they are wrong. So, what does this all mean? Well, if you come home and find your doors open, close them, then check under all the beds for critters! Check and make sure everyone is okay that left the doors open, and hope it was only left open for a little while and the electric bill doesn’t spike. Don’t open the car door while you are moving, it will not end well. Keep the freezer and fridge closed, so the food stays fresh. And open your heart and mind to all possibilities!
When I said there are two sides to every door, that means it may keep things in, but it can keep things out also. Not just dangerous things, but things like laughter, joy, and love. When I was a child we use to sing this song in Bible School;
ONE DOOR
One door, and only one
And yet its sides are two,
Inside and outside,
On which side are you?
One Door, and only one,
And yet its sides are two,
I’m on the inside,
On which side are you?
The Bible tells us that Jesus stands at the door and knocks, asking for admittance. We can keep the door shut and not let him in, or we can open it and receive abundant joy. You are the keeper of the door, and you and only you can decide to open the door to Him or not, it is that free will thing we have been talking about! When you let Him in, you also receive the key to the door to heaven, which will be keeping those without keys out, another important door in your life!
Let your heart stay open to love and comfort, and don’t let anger and hatred rust the hinges. I have known people, who experienced the loss of a loved one, and closed the door to their heart with anger at God, robbing themselves of His comfort, understanding, and peace. The door to your heart will let so much love in, that it overflows and you just have to open the door up and let some of that love flow out! One door, and only one, and you hold the key, inside or outside, where will He be?
As parents we need to teach our children about keeping love in their hearts and letting anger and hatred out! When their feelings are hurt, teach them about forgiveness, and love. None of us are perfect and yet God loves us all and wants to be part of our life. I am the way the truth and the life; no one comes to the father but by me. He holds the key to heaven, read the Word with your children and help them discover all the treasures awaiting them, like eternal life where the streets are made of gold!
We as authors love to build suspense about what is behind a door. When written in the right way it can make you jump out of your skin when the door is opened. Often times, what is behind the door is so gruesome, they wished they had never opened it, while other times, it is pure joy and happiness. Life is like that in the respects, if we keep the door to our heart, soul and minds so closed and locked, we will never know the joys that can be achieved by opening them. A closed-door can mean eternal damnation, or eternal glory. On which side are you?
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Matthew 7:7
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Revelations 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
John 10:9
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
Proverbs 8:34