One Door Closes
How many times have you heard the expression “when one door closes, another one opens”? Well-meaning friends want to soften the blow when you’ve been denied, passed over, or rejected in some way. It’s meant to refresh your perspective and encourage you not to give up. “There will be others,” they suggest as you sift through the remains of what you hoped was meant to be. They’re right and you know it. Of course you know it. But the thing about a door closing is that it often feels like a failure.
At this time last year, I began writing after walking away from a ministry project that I loved. For three years, I had the opportunity to offer a Pinterest-themed event to over 100 women. I enjoyed getting to know the creative and talented volunteers that made each event possible. I could sense that there would not be a fourth year before the decision was final, so I was not surprised when previous helpers said they were feeling called to take bigger steps in other ministries. I could have done it alone, but without a committee I was spread too thin. It took too much of a toll on me as a wife and mom. Even though I knew the decision was the right one, I struggled with feeling like I had failed as a leader.
This past summer, I was having lunch with a friend and we discussed this ministry. I told her how defeated I’d felt without a committed team. She went on to tell me that the weekend we were scheduled to have the event was the only date available for a prayer summit with a gifted speaker. When the door closed on my event, it was the exact space needed to open the door for this important ministry to take place. Her presence that day was pivotal. Honestly, it would have been pivotal on any day. I just can’t help but wonder if God allowed it to happen on the same day so that we would look back and feel encouraged by the way it all fell together.
I’m thinking of this as our now annual prayer event is quickly approaching. Women will gather and be enriched in a whole new way. We just don’t know what God is up to. As we pursue the good things set before us, we find that the doors left open often lead to a more meaningful connection with Him. In His grace, He uses our faithfulness to not only serve His Kingdom, but nourish the desire for purpose He’s nestled so deeply within us. It is His goodness and kindness that keeps us coming back for more, even after every closed door.
