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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Enter (02/27/06)
He stands at the door and waits, his hand raised slightly as He prepares to knock.

Broken and afraid, I stand on the other side of the door, waiting, listening to see if He will knock.

There was a time in my life when the door was always open and no invitation was needed, for we had a mutual understanding..and a mutual love.

Then life intervened and I began closing the door, imperceptibly at first, till finally the door was not only closed but bolted shut. There would be no forced entry here. Besides, why would He even try?

All the things I’d been taught as a child about love, mercy and forgiveness had become nothing more than words to me. My life as an adult had been filled with abuse, abandonment and pain. Where was the caring? Where was the mercy? Where was He?

I slipped into a lifestyle that had once been repugnant to me and now was all I knew. Nothing mattered, least of all me.

But today I saw a painting, one I had seen often as a child at Sunday School and somewhere deep within my darkest self a voice whispered “remember”. I shouted to eliminate the voice, but it was persistent and could not be ignored.

I remembered hearing about this beautiful painting and the “hidden elements” to look for such as the heart-shaped light around the door and the fact that the door could only be opened from the inside. And I recalled a teacher who reminded us that Jesus is only a heartbeat away.

Still broken and afraid, I stand at the door and raise my hand cautiously.

Perhaps today I will be able to say it, the word He waits so patiently to hear, the word “enter”.
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This article has been read 1184 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Folakemi Emem-Akpan
03/07/06
Bravo. This is a job well done. Sometimes we stray from God and find it hard to let Him back in (thinking we have sinned too much as if sin had levels). Thanks for sharing.
david grant
03/08/06
I would have started the story with the painting. However, well done.
Jeffrey Gante
03/08/06
Jesus is standing at the door and knocking - good article about our need for opening our heart to Christ.
terri tiffany
03/09/06
Very good!!Loved the ending!
Lynda Schultz 
03/10/06
I remember that painting - a classic which continues to illustrate Christ's willingness and readiness to enter, but only if WE open the door. Very nicely portrayed.
Marilyn Schnepp 
03/10/06
A beautiful message! I loved it! You also proved that one can get their point across in very few words (which I also loved) - and you did it to perfection! Great story! ....and a wonderful Read!
Patricia Charlton
03/10/06
I love it! I love it! This is a wonderful sample of saying much with little.

Maxx .
03/11/06
"Then when life intervened I began closing the door..." How true is that? Definately for me! Great job touching a truth that we all face.
Deborah Porter 
05/05/06
Hi Judy. Sorry to contact you via your feedback, but I need to talk to you about your latest Challenge entry. Could you please send me a private message as soon as possible? Thank you. Love, Deb (Challenge Coordinator)