I love the image of Jesus illumined standing outside the front door about ready to knock. Have you ever seen this beaufiful image? The message/meaning behind this beautiful picture is Jesus knocking on the door of our hearts. Sometimes are hearts are to hurt too be receptive to this invitation and we miss the opportunity to allow Jesus to enter into our very lives, exactly where we are broken. The knock is very real. For me personally I was given a very loud knock above our bedroom door at 3a.m. God was personally trying to reach me when I was in a very bad place. Sometimes we can sin and live in repetitive sin, and we can suffer within that sin, and not see reality. God knew that I needed to be awakened from my sleep and startled, in order for me to hear his knock directly in my heart. At first I was scared, and didn't understand what was happening and I didn't know what to do. And then I began to pray more and ask God to help me. My heart had grown bitter and I could not overcome the situation on my own. While away one weekend we were invited to visit an old friend and decided to attend vespers. It was during prayer I had asked God to change my heart. And I literally felt his hand press into my chest and remove my old heart, giving me a new heart before the tabernacle was closed on the main altar. I became awakened fully to this new reality of Christ wanting my humility in answer to my prayer of great healing. Granted, not all our personal prayers in life, are answered, but God honored the manner in which I had asked. Well over a thirty five year period I have been walking closer with my Lord. I knew of Him prior, but I did not enter into a personal relationship with him until after the death of my maternal grandmother. The light switch "In my heart and in my mind" went off. I was different. I was searching for deeper meaning in my life. I had wanted more than the life I had been living. I was searching for the pearl of great price. I was searching for God! And when I had found him, I could not get enough time in with him. Whether it was spending more quiet moments in prayer, keeping a prayer journal, going on a retreat weekend, spending time alone in his almighty presence proved to be very beneficial to my overall, well being. While in Assissi Italy, an unplanned event occured. We arrived on the Feast Day of Corpus Christi, and decided to enter into The church of Saint Francis Of Assissi, and we experienced a beautiful mass and procession that started from the church and continued throughout the town. God gave us the blessing of being on a pilgrimage. It was his divine will that we experience him more personally. My husband and I have always been blessed in that regard, we traveled to Austria on that exact feast day, while the locals processed proudly throughout their village. It was festive, beautiful, testimony of faith, family, and community. God allowed us to be there and experience how Austria celebrates the birth of Christ. As young boys covered the ground in palm branches, women and children were both dressed very modestly while marching alongside Austrian soldiers in full military regalia. Little girls were dressed beautifully and they each wore crowns of fresh flowers with ribbons dressing up their hair as they tossed rose pedals from minature baskets to the ground. I saw Gods grace overflow in and through every smiling face that walked by us. Jesus became more alive to me and through every new surrounding he had allowed me to enter into and experience his presence, again and again was a gift, a tremendous gift, I will never forget. I believe Jesus never forgets us. He waits very patiently for us to come around. And when we do the rejoicing begins...
