An invitation to meet with God at the gate
He Said, She Said Blog Series
Hi friends, I’m so excited to kick off our first month of the He Said, She Said Series! This series came to be as 2021 was coming to a close, and I was looking for a way to remember and track the graciousness of God’s work in me over the span of time, instead of tethering Him to just one circumstance.
I find that when we’re in seasons of despair, doubt and just living out the mundane parts of our existence, we can easily become distracted by what we want, totally forgetting our most powerful and faithful asset—TIME!
Over time, God is faithful to grow us into women who prevail, hope and point others to Him. It is time that mends our brokenness, softens our hard hearts and firmly establishes our feet on a solid foundation. When we remember just how valuable his timing is in our lives, when we lean in to listen and obey, new shoots take root, and we become women of the Vine, instead of women of the day.
This month, I’m surer excited to introduce Audra Powers as our very first guest blogger for this year’s series! Without further a-do, let’s dive in!
After my daughter was born, we purchased two gates for our staircase. My husband installed one gate at the top of the stairs and one gate at the bottom. I’m glad the child safety gates are aesthetically pleasing because they have become a permanent fixture of our home. Four years and two more babies after the install, I don’t know what I’d do without those gates!
I often tell my children to wait by the gate for me so we can all go downstairs together. Some mornings when they are really hungry (probably because they didn’t eat enough dinner) they get fussy before I’m ready to go downstairs. One morning while hurriedly putting on my high waisted mom leggings, brushing my teeth, and throwing my hair up into a ponytail, the kids were fussy and underfoot. I only had a couple minutes left before I was ready to go downstairs and start our day.
“Please let mommy finish getting ready. I’m almost done. Walk to the gate and wait a minute.”
Of course the hungry toddlers didn’t heed my first request.
“Listen, please go wait by the gate, I’m almost ready.”
More tears and cries for breakfast ensued.
I finally shouted in my commanding, but loving mom voice:
“Go to the gate.”
By that time I was walking out of my room down the hallway. I repeated the command as I corralled them to the top of the stairs.
“Go to the gate!” I commanded one last time.
In that moment I sensed the Lord speaking the very same words to me.
“Go to the gate,” He whispered to my worn out heart.
It stopped me in my tracks, but only for a moment because the children demanded my attention. I flung open the gate, settled the kids downstairs, and grabbed the eggs from the fridge. The hustle and bustle of my day had begun, but I knew there was a word, a command, a message for me at the gate.
“Go to the gate,” He reminded me at the end of the long day of mothering.
I opened my Bible and began reading. After searching the scriptures, I came to the book of John.
“So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
John 10:7-10, ESV
The gate at the top of my staircase is a barrier for my children’s safety.
The spiritual gate and door is Jesus.
I believe that just as I keep repeating the direction for my children, he keeps pointing me to himself. Just like my hungry toddlers in the morning, when I’m hungry I must go to the gate. Yes, when I am hungry and thirsty, he says, “Go to the gate.” When I am unsure of the next right step or the next destination for my life, Jesus says, “Go to the gate.” Jesus says, come all who are weary! Come as you are, friends.
“’Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light’”
Matthew 11:28-30, ESV
When I tell my kids to go to the gate, it’s because I am trying to get them to go to a different place than where they are standing, from upstairs to downstairs. The Lord always invites us to Himself, to learn His voice and know Him more, from the place we stand, to a deep down and personal level of relationship with Him. And it’s a standing invitation.
A few more years have passed and the gates are gone. My children are now making breakfast for themselves! How quickly time flies. But I will never forget that moment when God spoke so clearly, drawing me close to Himself. I am glad He interrupted me that morning. And I am so very glad I responded to His call. I point back to that moment as the beginning of a closer walk with Him.
There is a standing invitation from Jesus, friends. A standing invitation from our Good Shepherd. He invites us to go to the gate and find green pastures. That’s the beauty and loving-kindness of a Savior who cares so much that he would speak to you and I on a deeply personal level. I am so glad that His invitation is always open. Abundant life awaits us when we simply, “Go to the gate.”
Audra is a writer, speaker, and singer/songwriter. She shares hope filled perspectives + faith building truths for a revival of joy in Jesus. Audra lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her husband and three young children. She is a homeschool mom, a thrifty homemaker, and loves the great outdoors. You can connect with Audra on Instagram.
