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When I was a little girl, my mom worked at a shelter that housed women and children experiencing domestic violence. I spent many afternoons doing my homework at my mom’s feet, played with the kids on breaks, and helped assemble meals for the evening before we left. Thinking back, I clearly remember one time when there was a loud knock on the front door. The home was on lockdown, like a fortress; the address was not listed (pre-internet days); and you had to be referred by a social worker to enter the home, so a knock on the door sometimes meant the abuser had found the location. In other words, a knock invoked fear, and only staff could answer the door. After learning that it was a woman and her small child, a staff member said, “Remember the rules: do not answer the door!” But my mom quickly yelled out, “Open the door!”

Sometimes, I think we get comfortable, put a fortress around our hearts, and are scared or fearful of what serving or opening a door might look like. But God brought someone in need, and in Jesus’ words, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).

Why don’t we ask what gifts He has given us to step into serving? Why don’t we say, “Open the door” of my heart, Lord? It doesn’t have to be at a shelter. It can be serving at church, providing a meal to a neighbor, or offering a service or skill you are gifted with to someone in need.

You are probably wondering what happened to the woman and her child. I actually don’t know, but she did find shelter, a hot meal, and love that evening!

Final Thought: Pray and ask God to search your heart for an open door to serve others. 

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