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.