Knocking On Doors

SUSAN M DICK
Sep 11
5 min read

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the

door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 7:7,8

As a youngster, I was proud to call myself a Camp Fire Girl. I would meet once a week with my friends after school for songs, crafts, and to learn new skills to earn colorful beads for our uniform vest, all in the hope of making the world a better place. One of the highlights was the annual candy sale, our major fund-raiser, where I went door to door practicing my well-rehearsed sales pitch in hopes of an overnight camping trip with leftover funds to donate to those less fortunate than myself.

I specifically remember wearing a starched white shirt, a red Camp Fire kerchief, and navy skirt, while pulling a worn Radio Flyer wagon behind me full of the prized goods.

Walking the loop around Horseshoe Drive, I encountered lots of generous supportive neighbors whose doors I did not hesitate to knock on. With a lighter load to pull, I recall skipping along on my way until encountering the inevitable homes with pesky pets and the scary unmanicured lawn that made me nearly tip over the wagon by taking the curve as I passed. All in all, I was pretty successful and was eager to return home and place my earnings in safe keeping until the next meeting.

In my younger years living under my parents’ roof, things somehow seemed to unfold somewhat easily. I studied hard. I earned good grades.

Winning a few scholarships to a private college with a little help from my guidance counselor, I graduated with honors and landed exciting teaching positions. As a young adult, I was full of faith-filled optimism.

Suddenly, though, I realized how the world view had begun to shape my personal view. I began to look for answers. I did not like who I was becoming. As I grew older, I became more weary of trekking around any block without a plan. I was told that I had been living in a fairytale world. I realized life was not fair, but I believed deep in my heart that God was good.

I recall a time transferring to a new state with my husband’s blossoming management career. On the one hand, I was excited to be in our new home and looking forward to a new beginning. On the other hand, to be completely honest with you, I was miles and miles away from all of my family and friends that I knew and loved. Being a full-time mom with two young children in tow, I felt isolated, lonely, and overwhelmed. Here, I didn’t know a single soul, and it seemed that the endless days of rain would never stop.

I unpacked my Bible. I began to pray. I was reminded that Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

I then turned to Mark 11:24 and read the words of Jesus, “...whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you received it, and it will be yours.”

These words were written just for me.

Finally, I turned to God and had a heartfelt experience that I will never forget. I did what I had been taught. I had a good cry and took time out to pray. At last, I had closed my eyes and had a long overdue conversation with Jesus.

And you know something? It worked. Committing my cares to God, I felt a sense of genuine comfort and embracing peace. It was as though the gifts of mercy, love, and divine providence were, with the flip of a switch, made clear to me.

By letting go of life’s trials, and sincerely seeking and asking for God’s help in prayer, I learned the valuable lesson that God is a God of abundance whose faithfulness, generosity of hope, and strength could be felt. From that moment on, I knew that God, who can control and foresee everything, would manage everything in the best possible way. I was reminded that He would always be there to take care of me and my growing family.

Today, Matthew 7:7 is one of my favorite Bible verses: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

I can’t begin to tell you the many doors that have opened, and blessings that have come out of the move which once was so difficult. I discovered that the gifts God gave me in prayer, had touched the rest of my life in a way only God could.

The book of Isaiah assured me that when I invest in quiet time, it will become my strength (Isaiah 30:15).

God will strengthen your life, too.

In gratitude, let’s pray.

O’ Lord,

I am forever grateful for your unconditional love and acceptance for who I am right now. For you alone know my heartbreak, my reluctance, and my confusion. Help me make right my mistakes, and help me knock on the doors that will bring me closer to you and my life’s purpose. Thank you for guiding me to seek you and for teaching me to live by every word that comes from your mouth. May I listen to the promptings of the Spirit and be strengthened by decisions made together in prayer.

Amen.

Thank you so much for being here, my friend. I pray that committing your cares to God will give you a sense of genuine comfort and hope.

Until next time…

May the Spirit of God lead you, the Word of God sustain you,

and the Promises of God grant you the gift of everlasting peace.

Sending love and autumn blessings.

📝This Week’s Reflection Questions are:

Recall a time from your childhood when you felt unstoppable.
Think and write about how the world view has affected your personal perspective.
How can developing a soulful habit of asking and listening to God’s voice help you seek answers to your burning desires at this time?

👭If you would like to continue the conversation, and/or be held in prayer, please email your requests and thoughts to sue@faithfirstwomen.com

📖This week’s blog was taken from page thirty-five of Nourish Your Soul: 7 Secrets for Women Seeking Peace.

If you’ve been blessed by this reflection, please feel free to forward it to friends or family and invite them to sign up for the blog at https://faithfirstwomen.com/blog

🙏 To start your week with others in prayer, please consider joining me for our virtual Monday morning Power of Reflection Prayer Circle from 9:30-10:00 a.m. For more details email sue@faithfirstwomen.com

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