Windows, like doors, separate what's inside from what's outside. The outside is alive... trees, flowers, space. Yet windows allow people to stay within the confines of their shelter and protection while providing a view to the adventure outdoors. It's like being outdoors, without actually being outdoors.
I remember when I was in college. My roommate, Christie, and I lived on the third floor of Vail Hall at Samford. We had a window in our room that overlooked the parking circle at the sidedoor of the residence hall (the one most often used for entrance into the building). Sometimes when we were feeling silly, us two and a few others from our hall would pop popcorn late on Saturday nights, turn off the lights and watch girls being dropped off by their dates - they never knew they were being spied on. We kept count of how many times the boys would make attempts to kiss their girls goodnight, only to be dismissed with a hug or a quick exit.
The window in our room allowed us to venture into the private lives of both friends and complete strangers.
Often, now, when I go running at night, I'll jog by a home that's all lit up on the inside. Through their windows I might see a family eating dinner around the table; sometimes I see people watching tv. Whatever they're doing, they're living their lives inside their home, separated from the outside world and safe within the walls of protection.
Windows symbolize access: outside - in and inside - out.
The same is true in life. We all have walls, yet we also have windows.
We often build walls to protect ourselves from being hurt or being judged. We find protection in our privacy, yet we long for life on the outside. So we put in windows, or little glimpses that allow other people to see who we really are and allow us to feel the sun of happiness shining down.
On days like today, I'm reminded of the power of open windows.
When I lived in Vail Hall back in 1991, there was no air conditioning, and Alabama heat in late August was sweltering. So we would open our window to hopefully draw in the wind, or some form of cool relief.
Through one open window we would sometimes feel a small draft of breeze, but we learned quickly that if we also opened our door on the other side of the room, a powerful thing happened. The air in our room would circulate as if we had a ceiling fan forcing the air.
It's funny, we opened the door to bring the air in, but we found an open door also allowed opportunities for people to come in our room and visit. Through our open door, we made connections with our neighbors.
This morning when I awoke, I opened the sliding glass door off my bedroom to let the cool air in, but it wasn't until this afternoon when I opened my window on the other side of the room and a powerful force of air swept in that I was reminded of those college days.
I was reminded of the power of an open door and an open window.
I encourage you today to open the doors to your heart and the windows to your soul. Like the cleansing of the morning dew or the sweet fragrance of the honeysuckle blooming in the afternoon, you just never know what life-changing force may come blowing in.
