Of Walls and Doors

    The children’s book, The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli, includes a scene where Brother Luke, a friar, tells the crippled boy Robin that, “Thou hast only to follow the wall far enough and there will be a door in it.” Later on, he tells Robin that even his crutches can be a door in the wall.
    This got me started thinking about the walls we face in our lives. There are plenty of them. But for every wall I imagine, I can also find a door. 

    To all of my friends out there who are single: What happens if we began to see our singlehood as a door to service instead of a wall to kick against? Surely there are places we are called to fill that would have been impossible otherwise. The same can be said for those of you who are married, but have not yet been blessed with children.

    To my friends who believe your quiet nature is a wall: I wish I had your problem! Your wall is a beautiful door that allows you to be the listener so many people desperately need.

    To those of you that believe your strong will is a wall, hampering your Christian life: That wall is a magnificent gift granting you the ability to stand firmly in unwavering dedication to our King.

    To those of you who have been bullied or felt unaccepted: Maybe it's sometimes hard to see, but if you follow the wall, you, too, shall find a door. Standing in the frame you will see a path of empathy for others that you may never have been able to walk without the experiences you've lived through.

    And to you, my dear friends who face the walls of physical disability: You may never know the gift you possess to encourage the rest of us and how you teach us to learn of patience and joyful submission.

    The walls may seem long and dismal, but the opportunities for doorways to appear are equally prevalent. Perhaps I haven't mentioned your wall. The list would have been too long to name them all. Don't let that prevent you from following the rough bricks until your searching fingers find the frame that houses your door! 
    Many beautiful things come from what we have mistaken as dreary dead ends. John 16:20 says "Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy." That doesn't mean that we will never wish our wall wasn't there. It doesn't mean we will never ask why. But it does mean that we will accept our walls. We will submit to the fact that our King has seen fit to let them remain where they are. Maybe someday He will have them torn down, or maybe not, but for this season, He will give grace.

    Do you have a wall? Follow it. Find your door. If you are brave enough to open it, you will likely find it leads you places you never thought you’d go.