'Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.'
~ Revelation 3:20
I love this front door.
Every morning when I come down the stairs I am greeted with this peaceful view and no matter how I feel I experience a moment of pure peace and quiet joy. I really do love this front door. Rain or shine (except in winter) it's always opened by the first person up. Growing up, it was almost always Mom. No matter what I had on the agenda for the day, I would head straight for it and step through for a moment to gauge the weather and to say hello to the morning. It's always been a pilgrimage of sorts, a morning devotion. It's a moment where I meet God and say simply, 'Yes Lord' and 'Thank You.'
This is the front door of the home where I grew up, my parents' home, the family house. Whenever any of my sibs or I talk about 'going home' this is where we mean. I live here again, to stay now with my Dad after my Mother's passing at the end of this last April. As hard as I thought it would be to move back, I have found it comforting to be back in the house where I was raised, where the foundation of the person I am today first took form. It has helped me to deal with my grief, to know that I have not 'lost' my Mother because she is in the very fabric of this home she lovingly prepared for us.
I'll be posting more about this front door, about this home, about my Mother, about me. It has taken me a while to come back to the blog during these last few months. I would sit down to post and my heart was full but the words didn't seem to be enough. I decided not to push it and to wait until the words flowed naturally. When I saw this open door this morning, I knew I was ready to say, 'Thank You' for the place writing has always had in my life. I chose to open my heart's front door, to let the world in again and say 'Yes Lord'.
Joining with Inspire Me Monday, Dwellings, The Weekend Brew,
Lisha Epperson at Give Me Grace and Janis Cox at Sunday Stillness
Come join us.
Lisha Epperson at Give Me Grace and Janis Cox at Sunday Stillness
Come join us.
It is a beautiful door and view, and the memories it has for you are so dear. I am sorry for your loss and moved by your love.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind thoughts, Lisa. I'm glad my words spoke to you.
DeleteGod bless.
~ Cassandra from Renaissance Women
Welcome back, Cassandra, so lovely to see a post from you. I enjoyed reading about your thoughts and feelings with regards to your childhood home, and this very special and inviting door, which quietly beckons anyone who passes through it, to look up to the skies, and beyond the front porch, to a world that awaits adventure.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week!
Poppy
Thank you, Poppy. You are a sweetheart. Even though I wasn't blogging I was still visiting my favorite blogs of which yours is a favorite.
DeleteBless you and have a great week!
~ Cassandra
Such a beautiful front door! So thankful you are allowing the Lord to lead your writing journey.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful that you are also following the leading of the Lord with your writing, Barbie. You've been such an inspiration to me. Thank you.
Delete~ Cassandra
What a beautiful door! I'm sorry for the loss of your mother. My mama passed away over three years ago and I still find myself longing to tell her things or to have one more taste of her delicious cooking or to see her laugh with joy at her newest great grand baby. I'm so glad I stopped by here from Janis's link. Your blog is a lovely peaceful place!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Elizabeth, for your sweet comment. It blesses me that you found a moment of peace here. I always hope this will remain a place to stop, rest and breath.
DeleteI am sorry about your mom as well. A friend from church told me that while you may get through my mother's passing, you never get over it. My newest grandbaby was born less than a month after my mom passed (his picture is a few posts back) and it hurt so much that she would not see this one.
I'm glad you came by as well. Come back again soon.
God Bless.
~ Cassandra
I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. What a blessing you must be to your dad to have you with him at this time. The photo of your front door is beautiful. I can see why it holds precious memories. I pray God will not only bring you His comfort but His words to share with those also experiences loss. I do believe this is my first time visiting you. Your blog is just beautiful, breathing life and creativity. May our God bless you today in a special way!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind thoughts and prayers, jviola. This is not your first time here but the new / old layout might have thrown you off. :) This is the original layout when I started my blog four years ago. I decided to go back to it after trying to make it look 'more professional'. This background may not have the 'proper percentage' of white space but it is 100% more 'me'.
DeleteHave a great week and come back often.
~ Cassandra
"I have not 'lost' my Mother because she is in the very fabric of this home she lovingly prepared for us." What a profound thought, Cassandra. In the ache of missing your mom, it is so wonderful that you are still nurtured by her in the simple loving ways she created your home.
ReplyDeleteI am excited to come and read your words as they continue to take form again in your mind and come out on your blog. I love how gracious you were with your words and blog to not force yourself to write until you were ready.
I am sure some deep truths have come through this time of mourning. God speaks gently during the hardest of times.
I pray for continued healing and comfort to you and your family.
Thank you for coming by Kristi and thank you for your sweet comments. It's true, God has been speaking to me in a newer/deeper way during this time. I have been learning about the compassion of God's heart. It has been very comforting.
DeleteGod bless and come back again soon.
~ Cassandra
Sweet memories, Cassandra. How blessed you are to be able to go home and accept these blessings.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by, June. I am very grateful to the Lord for the loving kindness (mercy) he has shown me.
DeleteCome back again anytime.
~ Cassandra
Delighted to connect with you again Cassandra and happy you've found your words. The words are always there. Like you said, we have to be ready to open up the door. God grant you favor and blessing as you connect with your father as a daughter living in the home of your childhood. What a blessing. Looking forward to reading more of your journey.
ReplyDeleteBlessings on you dear Lisha. Thank you for your support. I love reading and seeing the photos of your lovely family. They make me happy.
DeleteGod Bless. Have a great week.
~ Cassandra