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Christmas Caroling to Closed Doors, Serving Others, and The One that Opened!

Our church group went Christmas caroling in an apartment complex for retired people last night. As we approached the first set of doors to begin singing, I could visualize joyful old folks opening their doors in delight, then beaming with the Christmas spirit as they stood and listened to us sing.

We began with “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” and by the time we concluded no doors had opened.  “They’re old, I thought….it takes them a while to get to the door”.  Then we sang Jingle Bells…..nothing.  Silent Night….nada.

So, I thought, this particular section of the apartment isn’t exactly bubbling with Christmas Spirit.  We’ll move on to the next.  To my great surprise, after singing to at least a dozen apartments, not a single door had opened…..not a single smiling face.

As we came to one of the last sections of the complex, we gathered together once again and began to sing.  After only a brief moment we saw a doorknob turn, a door open, and a smiling face appear.  She stood in the doorway, utterly delighted, and beamed with light as we sang.

This is such a great metaphor for life.  As we attempt to help others, we’re going to encounter closed doors.  But we must sally forth, because in due time doors will open and smiling faces will appear.

There are two things we’ll never know:  when doors will open, and what’s going on behind the ones that remain closed.  We may not have even seen the person who was most touched last night.  For that reason, we can't base our efforts to help people on results.  We need only follow our hearts and not get discouraged.  If we do that, people will be blessed.

Chime in, what do you think?  Have you ever had an experience where persistence has payed off for you?