Knock, and it will be opened...

Have you ever seen a beautiful doorknob?  I mean, the kind that really makes you want to open whatever door it may be attached to, no matter the lurking shadowlands, the mysterious darkness behind it?  To set out on some grand adventure, whatever the cost?  I recently saw a doorknob that tempted me so. 

Don't you just want to reach out and turn that?! 

But what if you weren't quite so brave?  

What if you have been known to turn beautiful doorknobs before, only to walk into ugly rooms?  

Rooms you wanted to run away screaming from...  

Rooms like you'd never dared to walk in before for fear of failure, rejection, deprivation...  

Rooms like this:

Yeah, that's right.  We're apartment shopping again.  The problem with "shopping" for a home is that you can't just walk into one place and get everything you need, like in Wal-mart or Costco or other such middle-class smorgasbords.  In fact, you often find that what you need is scattered in places all across the city, and it's simply impossible to get them all together in one measly apartment.  So far we've seen beautiful apartments in sketchy neighborhoods and sketchy apartments in beautiful neighborhoods, but we've yet to see beautiful and beautiful together (along with affordable, that is).  I'm beginning to wonder if we ever will.

As to be expected, my devos have been suspiciously related to dwelling places and wilderness wanderings and promised lands as of late.  Also, I've actually had an unexpectedly encouraging summer passing through the book of Isaiah, in which I've found gems such as the following:

And the work of righteousness will be peace,
And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.
Then my people will live in a peaceful habitation,
And in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places..."
                                                                   {Isaiah 32:17-18}

Lord, this is the home I long for!  One of peace, righteousness, quietness, confidence... a secure dwelling, an undisturbed resting place...  Unfortunately, these are not typically found on the amenities list of real estate websites and brochures.  Truth is, the only accurate match to this description is not something I'll find at Chicago Apartment Finders or Rent.com, but only with my Father in the place Jesus is preparing for me.
Still, couldn't hurt to ask, right?  After all...

Ask, and it will be given to you;
Seek, and you will find;
Knock, and it will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives,
And he who seeks finds,
And to him who knocks it will be opened.                          
                                                    {Matthew 7:7-8}

I'm asking, seeking, knocking, Lord.  Which door will You open for us? 

The last thing I want to do is use Him like a genie in a bottle, but His word tells me ~ by my interpretation, which is dubious ~ that He will give what I ask for, for He is a kindhearted Father.  Yet, the best fathers don't always give what the child wants, but what is best for the child, which isn't always the same thing (in fact, often isn't). 

{Loving Father, I ask then for Your best for me!  I know You cannot deny that!  Just give me Your wisdom to know where to seek and what doors to knock... Oh, and if You wouldn't mind throwing in a few adorable vintage doorknobs, that'd be awesome...}