If you were to travel down one of the short streets in Middle Valley, you would come across a house, the first house on the right to be exact. And there you would see a small split foyer home with a newly painted bright yellow front door. My front door. We finished the project a few weeks ago, but I still find myself staring at it. No one’s front door in this neighborhood is as pretty as mine, that’s what I tell myself.
Truthfully, we recently made the decision to stay here at our house, and do some things to really make it our own, rather than moving. Our split foyer needed some curb appeal; the door was just the first effort towards making the outside more visually pleasing and inviting, maybe even hospitable.
Well, I’ve been thinking about the door. I have been ever since we began considering changing it. Scripture pictures Jesus knocking at a door, patiently waiting for those who are not yet believers to acknowledge Him. He is no respecter of doors, beautiful or otherwise. He died and rose again for all, not just the folks who have pretty golden doors.
More to the point, I’m challenged to really believe that He offers forgiveness to everyone here, in my neighborhood. Everyone. Not just the loveliest ones. Its so easy to believe that He’s forgiven me, because I have solid moral values and I’m taking good care of my family and I home school and my house is (fairly) clean – and the list goes on and on… Here, in my part of town, not everyone lives this same way.
There’s the house a street or two over with really tall grass and a maroon front door that is dirty and looks like it may fall off the hinges any day. Another house where there were gun shots a few weeks ago; that door is dark blue and had the glass broken out for a while. And another home where there appears to be stuff piled everywhere, so much so that is billowing out from their garage, into the driveway. I can’t even tell what the color of their door is. Its easy for me to dismiss these in their un-lovely state.
But Jesus, He knocks at every door with the promises of forgiveness and everlasting life. He stands at the door, because to Him, ALL doors are golden:
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. (from Revelation 3)
What if every time I catch myself admiring my own door, I remember to gaze at the doors of the homes nearby the way Jesus does? No distinctions, only seeing with His eyes of love and praying with a heart for His redeeming work to be done.
Heavenly Father, As you continue the work in our hearts, will you make us a part of your plan to draw others to yourself? Please take our golden door and use it as you see fit; we long to be hospitable and inviting, even loving to those around us. Help me to remember that every door is a golden one. amen.
daily portion 
Liked this one a lot! Mom I forwarded it to Marilyn from the website. (hope i did it right!)