Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Shelley Schurch
Sunday, February 15, 2026
Some sights just bring an immediate smile, even if I don’t know what’s going on. Such was the case when we walked through a familiar neighborhood cul-de-sac last week and suddenly saw this front door, gift-wrapped in glossy red ribbon.
A For Sale sign had been posted in the front yard for a couple of weeks, and when we walked by in the evenings, the curtains were usually pulled wide open and lights were on, showing minimal, carefully-staged furniture. It looked like a house that had said good-bye to its inhabitants, and was waiting for another family to come make it a home again.
So I not only smiled when I saw this big red bow, I also felt like applauding – this must mean that the house had new owners! The For Sale sign was still out front, but would probably be taken down soon.
However, when we walked by the next day, all the red ribbon was gone, and the For Sale remained. That’s how it still is today. I puzzle over this. Had the ribbon actually been a sign of celebration? If so, was the celebration premature? Or is the house truly sold, and only a few formalities need to be cared for, and then the moving van will arrive?
I will need to wait and see. (Weightier matters occupy my mind, but small surmisings like this lighten the load for me!)
And yes, this makes me think of Jesus.
I think of what is perhaps the best-known “door verse” in Scripture:
Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. (Revelation 3:20 NRSVA)
This is God, entreating. How He must rejoice every time we open the door and welcome Him in, inviting Him to make our home His own! Our heart responds to His great heart, and we give ourselves to the One who gave everything for us.