In the final week of Mom's life, even though her words were few and labored, regularly she would state, "Leave the door open." Funny thing is, her bedroom door remained open. Furthermore, she was seldom alone in her room, thus no reason to feel isolated. Yet, she would insist. We began to realize the door she intently watched wasn't the door to her room. Instead, her eyes focused on a corner in the room. Evidently, the door she observed was only visible from a spiritual perspective, as the curtain between life and death became more transparent. Perhaps this was her doorway to heaven.

I couldn't help but stare whenever she mentioned the door. What did she see? Was light streaming through, or music and laughter floating in the air? Could she see the banquet table overflowing for the great feast? How I wanted to tiptoe to the doorway and peek through, perhaps even help Mom take her final step to the other side.

Mom remained, unable to abandon her will to live. Sister Colleen reminded me, Mom never wanted to miss out. Three new great-grandchildren had arrived, and she hoped to meet them. Marriage proposals were anticipated as Mom wondered if her oldest granddaughter might receive a ring for Christmas. Grandson Sam’s wedding was coming up in six months and Mom intended to dance at it. She didn't want to miss out on anything in this life, even while knowing the best was yet to come.

Days passed as Dave, Colleen, and I assured her we would be okay, her work on earth was done, and thus, time for her reward. One evening heavenly visitors came through the door and Mom told me she needed to get packed, so she could get going. I encouraged her, suggesting they were here to help her move but still, she tarried. Then around noon one day, she went through the door, leaving behind her earthly body.

In the days since, I have often thought of her door. Doors are such practical and ordinary things meant to keep things in or out. We think of doors to enter everything from our homes, buildings, and cars, as well as entries into our eyes, minds, and hearts.

Yet, God uses doors to represent the extraordinary. Doorways were covered with lamb’s blood thousands of years ago to keep death from entering, thus the celebration of Passover. There was the open door of the tomb and the stone rolled away. The missing body and the assumption that Jesus’ body had been taken. Who could fathom or understand that He opened the door to leave and thus overcome death itself. Jesus described himself as a door: "I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he shall be saved." John 10:9 (ESV).

Perhaps there are doors you've hidden behind, maybe for too long. Maybe your heart or mind has been closed to truths you can't or aren't willing to fathom. There might be things your eyes need to see if only you'd open them, or a door standing so blatantly open, yet, you just can’t will yourself through it. Now might be a good time to make your move, open your mind, your heart, or your eyes, because there is one door you don’t want to miss. The door to our Savior. He’s standing there, waiting for you, and all you have to do is open it!

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Revelations 3:20 (NIV).