I woke up this morning in my usual way. Our bedroom seemed really snug and warm, and, I reasoned that it must’ve been because it didn’t get as cold last night. Tossing the thought aside, I donned my robe and slippers, called the dog, and opened the bedroom door.

BAM.

Freezing air hit me. We keep our house pretty cool at night, but this was crazy-cold. Something was amiss.

I could hear the heater running, and I knew we’d just had a propane fill, so that couldn’t be the problem. Then I stepped into the den.

The slider was wide open.

Because I’d left it that way.

Yesterday was so beautiful, that I’d opened up the slider to the delicious air while I did some work at the desk, then I forgot all about it at bedtime. Kevin didn’t even realize it was open, so he didn’t catch it either. Likely, the heater had been running, nonstop, all night.

Fantastic.

Sometimes we open the doors of our heart to things that seem wonderful. Fun. Exciting. Delicious. We really enjoy it for a while, as the breezes of the world blow in, soft and sweet. But then the night comes, as it always does, and it suddenly becomes dark and cold. Not only does it let the frigid air in, it sucks the warm air out. The longer it stays open, the higher the price of the consequence and the harder it becomes to shut it against the relentless force of the night air.

Fortunately, we don’t have to rely on our own strength to close it, or we’d literally freeze to death. No, once we let the Hands of Someone much bigger, wrap themselves around us, and put His force behind the door, it closes with the satisfying sound of a latch engaging the plate, then the slide of the deadbolt for good measure.

As the last of the cold air dissipates, the temperature of our heart begins to rise. We relax at the warmth, and, comforted, find that we are not alone.

We place our hands in His and rest, snug and warm.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23 ESV

“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” Romans 12:2 MSG

““Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” Revelation 3:20 NLT