Step Inside Love … and stay
In 1968, Cilla Black released a song, ‘Step Inside Love’. It’s about a woman who waits for her special friend to come and visit. When her friend leaves, she makes it very clear that she would like to see them again. In my mind’s eye, I can still ‘see’ Cilla on the screen, and I can most certainly hear the music.
So here’s the thing. Even after all these years, the music and vision are still part of me. The music and images, like the person in the song, stepped across my threshold and stayed.
I’m sure you have these special songs and images from days of yore. They are to be re-remembered, re-lived, re-lived, and relished.
But this stepping across the threshold and staying, this getting under our skin, also applies to our relationships with people, and it applies to our relationship (if you're so inclined) with the Divine.
He will politely stand at the door and knock. The rest is up to us.
It’s a risk when we allow others to step inside and stay because our lives are set on a whole new trajectory, and things can never be the same again. For me, it is utterly enjoyable, and I could not have it, would not have it any other way.
The song was written by Paul McCartney, no less, and the end exquisitely encapsulates this ‘wanting more', this ache for the next encounter. Thus…
‘When you leave me
Say you'll see me again
For I know in my heart
We will not be apart
And I'll miss you till then
We'll be together
Now and forever
Come my way
Step inside, love, and stay.’
Do we dare take the risk? Do we open the door, find them a place and ask them / Him to stay?