Love Is An Open Door.

Thursday, July 31st

I often wake up with songs in my head and generally...they are worship songs. I love it. I love when my soul wakes up singing praises to the Lord. What a way to start the day. Today, however, I woke up singing a song from Frozen...Love is an open door, with you (with you), with me (with me). What?! While I love this movie and all of the songs....it is just so random. And, it's 3am!

I am up early to take my friends to the airport:

My friends who are not really friends at all, but family. My friends who are my sister and brother and nieces. My friends who are being called to walk upon the water and candidate in Delhi, New York for a Senior Pastor position. My friends who God has been preparing me to let go of...because they are going. Whether it is New York or elsewhere...they are going.

I am introverted by nature and when I met the sweet woman in this picture 8 years ago...there was a giant wall around my heart. I was very broken--especially when it came to relationships with other women. I was used to having only one close friend and keeping everyone else at a very safe distance. I did not open up and share easily....OK, not at all really....and, I remained guarded. She, however, was the polar opposite! She loves people...especially women. And, frankly...that made me want to run from her. But, I didn't. I think mostly because she lives next door and well....she wouldn't let me. And, despite my flaws....she just kept loving me. It took several years, but finally we really connected. I began to open up to her in ways I had never opened up to anyone. I stopped just giving her details about my life and began to share my feelings with her. This was new for me. I trusted her and we built a bond that is unlike any I have had before; a bond of mutual trust, respect, edification, and love. A bond that challenges us both to be better than we were when we met. A bond that continues to grow not in spite of our changes, but because of them.

As I sat on my bed praying for this family, my family, I began to pray for my own heart as well. As I prepare to let them go, I can feel a familiar desire creeping in. A desire to hole up in my house and push people away. Even her. Especially her. It would be so much easier to just build that wall up and lock her out now. I mean really....who wants to see me running down the street chasing the moving truck?! Well, scratch that. A lot of people, I'm sure. The point is...it would just be easier to shut them out now. But, as I prayed about my heart and wanting to build up a wall....these words continued to go through my head....

"Love is an open door! Love is an open door! Love is an open door!"

And, it suddenly hit me....

This silly song that has been running through my head this morning is a gift; a reminder from God...love is an open door. I cannot put up a wall or close a door on this woman because I love her...immensely. Love thaws. Love melts. Love is an open door. Oh, Lord. You even use Frozen!

So, I will continue to love her through this transition...knowing and trusting that God is going to use this to strengthen us both--together and separately. And, I will pray that nobody is filming as I run down the street chasing their moving truck crying like a baby. 

So, I dedicate this song to her. A song written to be a love song between Anna and Hans...but describes the friendship and love between my sister and me. 

Okay, can I just say something crazy?
I love crazy!

All my life has been a series of doors in my face
And then suddenly I bump into you

I was thinking the same thing! 'Cause like 
I've been searching my whole life to find my own place
And maybe it's the party talking or the chocolate fondue

But with you
But with you
I found my place
I see your face
And it's nothing like I've ever known before
Love is an open door
Love is an open door
Love is an open door

With you
With you
With you
With you
Love is an open door

I mean it's crazy
What?
We finish each other's—
Sandwiches!
That's what I was gonna say!
I've never met someone
Who thinks so much like me
Jinx! Jinx again!
Our mental synchronization
Can have but one explanation
You and I were just
Meant to be

Say goodbye
Say goodbye
To the pain of the past
We don't have to feel it any more
Love is an open door
Love is an open door
Life can be so much more

With you
With you
With you
With you
Love is an open door