I drove around the corner in my neighbourhood, like I do every morning when returning home from the gym. On this particular morning, I starred and took it in.
Houses lined the streets, framed in by trees. Some have lights on. Some have not stirred.
Dawn is only approaching at this hour. Sun is barely rising.
We don't really know what happens behind the closed door, do we?
Just like our houses have walls & doors, our hearts can have the same structure.
There is something about houses, that I love. Decorated according to personality.
They can say so much about a person, a family.
I especially like it when curtains are drawn back and I can peek inside.
Now I'm not saying I stalk outside of window panes and hide behind bushes, but I'll glance in while I drive by.
Ssshhh, I know you do it too.
What colour are their walls? What kind of art do they have hung?
Does a family live there? An older couple?
You can usually tell.
Life dwells behind the concrete and lumber. Lives lived. Some happy and some sad.
We don't really know what happens behind the closed door, do we?
We only know what happens behind our own.
Just like our houses have walls & doors, our hearts can have the same structure.
Unless we open the door to invite others in, no one knows what goes on in there.
Except God, of course.
We can build our walls, keep the door shut, never having to open it.
Live distant.
Private.
We tend to hide away in our houses, either behind the mess or behind the tidy. Depending on your home and your "decorating style".
We can also swing the door wide open, and show the world who we are.
Be transparent.
Stop hiding in the shell. Break out. Be real.
As I pull into the driveway of my home, I can see that the curtains are tied back (as they always are) and people can see in if they want to. They can see that my walls are the colour of wheat, and that my kitchen is the colour of eggplant. They can see art, throw rugs, dark furniture, leather chairs in the living room and around the dining room table. They can see the stairwell with slippers at the bottom and a sweater tossed on the banister. They can see my family rising out of sleep, starting the day with the curtains open.
Let the light of dawn shine into your home today, and if you're brave enough let it shine into your heart.
Messy, tidy, decorated or not... go beyond the walls. Open the door.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him. (Revelation 3:20a)
... and if you invite me over to see beyond the walls, I promise this -
I'd be honoured!
Wow, Manda! What a great post! I've been struggling with letting down the walls that I hide behind and being genuine. It's so easy to hide who we are, especially on our blogs. With the right camera angles, our lives can seem perfect. But whose is, really. I've decided that on the imperfect days, I'll show the warts. That's life, really.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for stopping by my blog.
Manda, How blessed I was by your comment on my blog about the cleansing of our own hands! Thank you, thank you because it led me to your beautiful blog. Your words are anointed and speak straight to my heart. I look forward to reading more when my kids are napping. God Bless!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dear friends.... THANK YOU :)
ReplyDeleteIt's been a pleasure having you take a peek into my heart on page.