What's coming in the door?

I'm attracted to a beautiful entry way.  Walking up an inviting walkway with beautiful flowers and bright colors puts a since of peace in my heart when I enter an unknown space.

There are so many shows on television now that deal with curbside appeal.  What you see on the outside of a home, immediately informs you if you want to make an entrance into the rest of the property.  A yard that is covered by weeds and overgrown plants is obviously not as appealing as a home with a well manicured yard.  Curbside appeal is inviting and lures you to walk through the door to view the rest of the house.

I've been reading some history books with the boys. I appreciate learning about the ancient cultures.  Many cities were surrounded by city walls or gates to keep the citizens protected from the enemy. The wall/gate provided one way in and out to keep track of who was entering and leaving the city.  It fortified the area from the adversary that would sneak in and try to destroy the grounds.  It provided the perfect defense to an attack.  If the wall came down, the city would lie in ruin.

A doorway provides an opening into a room in the same way our heart provides an opening into our innermost being.  Our world bombards us with so many corrupt images, thoughts, media, words, and billboards so that now we have a world that has succumb to the "dark" side.

My girlfriends and I recently watched a movie and within 10 minutes the movie began with pornography, sex and intoxicating drug and alcohol abuse.  This was a movie that had been nominated for numerous Academy awards but the images it provided were horrifying.

We must guard, like the city wall, what we allow into our head space and our hearts.  What we allow to gain entrance will have total access and free reign of us.  We articulate words and wonder how something so vile can come from our mouths, but what have we allowed to come in.  There is a beautiful Proverb that is full of wisdom and truth:

Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do. ~Proverbs 4:23

Q:  Have you let your guard down?  What or who has been able to gain total access because you let them in?

Take some time today to identify the "intruders" in your life.  These would be thoughts or people that came without an invitation.  Negative thoughts and dysfunctional people can drain and leave you with nothing.  Fortify your grounds, protect your heart and regain your sense of peace and control.  (Posted by Roslyn)