Door Swing Wide Sarah Hart, Kevin B. Hipp

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Lyrics

Love built this house long ago
Gave it a beauty all it's own
And it was warm and free and welcoming
But I learned to hide amid the rooms
?Til slowly it became the tomb
Where I have shut away the light of day
Now I'm longing to be known
Will you come and move this stone

Let the door swing wide and the walls come down
Don't let me hide where I'll never be found
I have been so blind, but I want to see
Call the darkness out, let the sun come in
Breathe life into these rooms again
And I'll let the door swing wide

Each storm that came, I lost heart
Traded the welcome mat for iron bars
Pretended I was not falling apart
Who did I think I would fool
How could I ever hide from you
For this is your home, too, and so you know
That what's out there is my worst fear
But I'm tired of the view from here

And it may take a mighty blow
To free me from what binds me so
I don't mind, cause it's time
I just wanna see the light

Artist Reflection

So there we were... me, Jeff Thomas (my great friend and co-producer in crime) and the famous Tom Booth, yucking it up over sushi at Ken’s in Nashville (not the best place for sushi, but God has His reasons…). Somehow through the hilarity of shared stories we got on to the deeper topic of our personal Catholic faith. I am a "cradle Catholic" and have loved my church deeply. But suffice it to say that I (as with many folks of all denominations, I imagine) have been through my own personal disappointments and battles with faith -- things that have led me to a lot of places, both terrible and great.

I shared a few things that had been heavy on my heart. And to my surprise, Tom really called me on some things, especially on the need for honesty in my own ministry. A lifetime of putting up walls, straining to keep just out of reach, and a fear of what people might see aren't the healthiest things. Tom offered to me that there might just be a time to decide to share that brokenness, reveal my heart, offer it up and say "OK, here I am, a pretty broken, junky vessel. If you can use me this way, please do, God."

There is a time for the transparency that reveals the love and hope of Christ.

For me, "Door Swing Wide" is just a personal plea to God; about hiding, self-condemnation, and shadows; but being ready for the wrecking ball, the light of day, for life to be breathed into the rooms of the soul. The light may sting for a time, but the result is clarity, brightest truth, and maybe even revelation to others of how God can forever change a life.

I dedicated it to Tom, who wasn't afraid to call a sister on some things.

Let the door swing wide!

-- Sarah Hart