"Her door was always open when you came her way, and the sheets would be pulled back if you needed to stay."
These words are from the poem at the beginning of my book, I Called Her Nan, as I described my Mother-in-law's generosity in making people feel welcome.
These days, I see and hear this part of the poem differently, even though I wrote it. It's Biblical. With hands and arms open wide, I hear..."Come." Come rest, come eat, come near, come sit, come talk to me, come listen. All the ways Jesus offers us a relationship, through an open door and open arms. Bring nothing but yourself. He turns no one away, no matter what season it is or the time of day.
I get it...after experiencing both sides of a door, from being welcomed and being turned away. Any opportunity that has let me feel what Jesus felt, I consider it a blessing!
Nan wasn't a churchgoer, but she had many Jesus characteristics that I easily could have criticized at the time. She truly understood the joy of having people in her home, providing a place of peace, and at times a place of refuge.
Come...Have a happy day.
~ Cathy
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