I set my life-door open wide,
Inviting all to come inside;
But they who hurried past my door,
Left me more lonely than before!
I watched them to my neighbor go—
Some thoughtfully, some fast, some slow;
Some glanced at me with smiling eye,
But came not in—I wondered why.
And watching them, I saw, although
They oft looked sad and sick, walked slow
And haltingly, as they went in.
They all came out with altered mien—
With freer step and gladsome eye;
I daily watched, and wondered why.
One day, a maid with gentle air
Passed me. I greeted her with prayer
To tell about my neighbor's home—
Why all the world should thither come.
" 'Tis not thy neighbor, dear," she said;
" 'Tis by her friends we're thither led
Who live with her—there's 'calm'
And 'peace' and 'heartiness' so warm;
'Humility' who knows no pride,
And 'grace'—these beckon us inside.
There's 'selflessness' and 'peace,' which give
To all their joy; there also live
Dear 'mirth' and 'humor,' with their charm.
And healing 'Truth,' and 'Love's sure balm,'—
These woo the wanderers to her door—
Hast thou ne'er known of this before?"
With tears I thanked and let her go—
God's messenger, the way to show;
I closed the door, and silent stood
O'erwhelmed with joy and gratitude,
For now I held the secret clue,
My neighbor's friends could be mine, too!
A while passed by, when gentle sound
Caused me, disturbed, to glance around;
The door ope'd wide—a weary dame
With hope-filled face o'er threshold came:
"I saw 'joy' shine with gentle glow
Beneath thy door, and so I came to know
If I might sit awhile and rest;"
And from that hour my home was blessed.
Nor is there cause to wonder why,
For they come in who once passed by.
