open door policy

“Knock, knock” someone would call out opening the back door.  Pretty much everyone bypassed the front door to come in kitchen side…family side.  It was a conscious decision too, because our back door was at the end of a long driveway.  In fact, I can hardly remember any homes that we used the front door of.  Front doors were for strangers, sales people, the mailman or just someone who didn’t know…

Family uses the back door.  The is a welcoming, homecoming kind of feeling you get when you come in that way.  You just come as you are…no pretense, no special get up or gear, just you.  Shout out a quick “knock, knock” and open yourself to the hearty welcome you receive.  If you are struggling with something there are caring hearts to help you on your way.

Because of the way my house is, coming in the back door is kind of difficult.  However, since the front door opens to the kitchen there is still that back door kind of feel.  I certainly hope that no one feels like they have to have any ceremony or special duds to come in our door.  We desire our home to be a house of welcome.

The thing is that no matter how welcoming a home is there are time when you knock at that door and no one is home.  Or maybe they aren’t interested in you stopping by, so the door has been locked and the lights are turned out.  When this happens you can feel alone and left out in the cold.

There is good news!  There is a door that will always open to you.  Jesus says in Luke 11:9-10 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”  Anytime you need God His door is just waiting for you to knock on.  He is ALWAYS there for you.  You can trust Him.  God has an open-door policy.  He wants you to come into His house.  He wants to provide for your needs.  He cares about you. God will listen to you.  He will respond to your heart’s cry.  You can come in from the cold and be wrapped in the warm blanket of His love.

Maybe it’s been a while since you knocked on God’s door.  Perhaps you’ve been locked out of a different door and feel like there is no hope.  Maybe you’ve run away and thought there wouldn’t be a place for you anymore.  Forget that kind of thinking.  You are well-loved and God is looking forward to seeing you.  “Knock-knock!”

~Jessica