What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Sunday, June 18, 2017

A Closed Door...and An Open Door - Updated


UPDATE:  This post was originally written several years ago, and as I was just re-reading it I thought it would be a good repeat for Father's Day weekend.  I was feeling a bit nostalgic and missing my family home...especially the ones who made that home so special.  Read on:


This is the door to my childhood home.  My parents' home.  I lived there from the time I was seven until I left to get married at the age of almost 19. (okay, I was still just 18, but very mature for my age!)  My Dad built this home, and he and my mother lived in this house for over fifty years.  They both died in the home they loved, and their wish to remain in their home until they died came true.

Seeing this picture of the door leading to my parents' home posted on my niece's Facebook page today kind of hit me right between the eyes and deep within my heart. Why? Because this door is closed. This door is now locked, and it will never again be open to welcome our family to the joys and happiness that we once shared within.

During all of those fifty plus years of our parents living in this home memories were made that will always be treasured in the hearts of each of their four children and their families, grandchildren and great grandchildren. We can never go back and relive those happy days, but we can remember them in our hearts and share them with our children and grandchildren and pass on the marvelous heritage of a loving home to all those who follow.

The thing that I need to remember is that although my parents' earthly house is empty and it will never be the same again, that is not the end of this story.  Why?  Because my parents are still alive and well...and enjoying the home that was not built with human hands...their heavenly home.  And the door to THAT home will NEVER be locked shut to those who believe.  It will be eternally open, and ready to receive those who have accepted the invitation to enter. As a matter of fact...that invitation is there for YOU as well!

Hear what Jesus said to His disciples:

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again and receive you to Myself;
that where I am, there you may be also. 
And where I go you know, and the way you know." 

"Thomas said to Him,
'Lord, we do not know where You are going,
and how can we know the way?'

Jesus said to him,
"I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me."

John 14:1-6 

I am so thankful to know that I have a heavenly home, where the door is open, and Jesus is there waiting with open arms to receive me.  I also know that I will see my parents again in that home, because I have no doubt that they loved the Lord with all their hearts, and that they were looking forward to that heavenly home as well.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish
but have everlasting life."
John 3:16


Have you accepted Christ's invitation to dwell with Him in His heavenly home?  Think about it...and accept that invitation now while there is still time.

POSTSCRIPT: I Just had another thought...my parents also continue to live on in the lives of each of us, their children, and those who come after us. So this story has a double happy ending...or rather, beginning...
My Mom and Dad. 'Nuff said.  Love & miss them so much.

21 comments:

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    1. Thank YOU for the picture...and the inspiration! Love you, dear niece!!

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  2. What a beautiful post, Pam! It is wonderful to know the blessed assurance your parents are in their heavenly home even though the earthly door to your parents home is closed ! Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Thank you, Dianna. It is comforting to me to have that knowledge...and to have that heritage as well. I will always miss my dear parents while I am living here on earth...hardly a day goes by that I don't think of them in some way. But I believe they are not really all that far away...heaven is just a breath away after all! So glad to see your smiling face here today. (((hugs)))

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  3. I feel exactly the same way about the house my parents built and lived in for 32 years (until my dad died at 66). Because my sister lives in that town I see it from time to time and it still feels like it should be our home, even though it's been 16 years since my mother sold it. It'll always feel that way. It's sweet to know there's a true home, as you say, and that our parents are there. But I also know I'll always feel. And that's okay too.

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    1. I know exactly what you mean about the house should still be our home. I feel the same way. My Dad put so much of himself into building that house...and it hurt so bad to walk away from it knowing we'd never enter that house again in the same way. I personally don't even want to drive by it anymore because it makes me want to run up and open the door and say, 'I'm home!"...but just think of that happy reunion we will have one day in heaven when we can enter in and finally say "I'm Home!" Oh what a happy day that will be!!! See you there!

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  4. Beautifully said and brought tears to my eyes. God is good and one day there will be a Happy Reunion!

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    1. Yes indeed there will be. And I am sure it will be sooner than we all think. But in the meantime, I will treasure the happy memories of times spent in that house with my family.

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  5. Pam: This is beautiful. The house I grew up in (age 18 months-151/2 years) got torn down a few years ago. I have had occasion to mentally see the floor plan and the rooms. The house we moved to has slipped into my mind as well.

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    1. In my mind's eye I can still see the smiling faces around the table and smell the sweet smells of cookies baking, pies in the oven, and all the other wonderful things that my parents did to make our home so special. All I can do now is try to carry on the family traditions in the best way I can...and honor their memory that way. The house is just a shell...it is the people who make it a home. Some day we'll rejoice to be together with Christ at the head of our table.

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  6. Hi Pam,
    Your post today touched my heart. I long for my daughter and know I will see her again someday. Thank you for your sweet message.
    Hugs..Nancy

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    1. Oh my dear Nancy, I can only imagine how much you must miss her presence. My heart goes out to you. But yes, we have this hope in Christ...and that is such a comfort. I appreciate how you are getting back to your tea times and sharing your home with others in that way. I know that is a comfort to you and a good way to keep moving forward...something that I am sure your daughter would want you to do. May the Lord continue to give you strength and comfort and peace each day. Blessings to you and your dear family.
      Love,
      Pam

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  7. Hi Pam! Wow, what a powerful image for you. I think I would feel the same way. My parents moved out of my childhood home (to downsize) while I was living out of state. I wish I could go in and roam around and remember.

    But you are so right, your parents are with the Lord and with you. I love that image you have of Jesus hugging one of his children. So warm and loving. Better than any house on earth...
    Thank you for sharing your memory with all of us.
    Ceil

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  8. All of a sudden this picture pops up and brings tears to my eyes! Oh how we loved that home and all who dwelled within! So many happy memories!

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    1. I know. We can't go back "home", but we can keep "home" in our hearts always. We were truly blessed to have such a home as this. Love you Sis!

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  9. Hi Pamela, Beautiful memories of your family. Home will always be with memories of them. Just want to let you know I have a new url and name for my blog

    Treasures By Toni http://treasuresbytoni.blogspot.com

    Everything else is the same included all posts and comments that were transported to the new blog. Hope you stop by and continuing blogging with me. Have a day of blessings dear friend. :)

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  10. Oh Pam, thank you for sharing this sweet and touching post again. I'm thankful that you had godly parents--it makes life easier, especially when they pass away. Memories are precious things--something to not be taken lightly. (((HUGS)))

    Blessings!

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  11. Pamela, I can't go "home" again either. The house we grew up in and, later, where I raised my own children for a time as I took care of it in my parents' absence, has long since been destroyed, part of a neighborhood buyout. Yes, my folks gained financially, but to this day, my mother will often say how much she misses that house. I do, too, but we can't go back, we can only go forward, pressing on for God and Jesus in the here and now.
    Happy Father's Day to your hubby!
    Blessings!

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  12. What a beautiful post and tribute to your parents. That is a good photo of them, both were very good looking. Your post touched my heart as both my parents have passed on to glory but I sense them in my heart and know I'll see them again in heaven.
    Have a blessed day!

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  13. I love your comment: "Not the end of the story". Your parents live on in their eternal home and also in your heart. Beautiful tribute!

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