In my Thanksgiving journal post this morning, I thanked God for opening windows after He's closed doors. No, that familiar phrase isn't exactly Scriptural. You won't find a verse from the Bible to quote (although Paul does mention in the NT an "open door for service"). But I've found the premise to be true. I'm blithely going along in life, my plans made for the coming weeks and months and suddenly a door slams closed in front of me. The direction I was going is no longer an option. "The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps." (Proverbs 16:9)
Something like that happened to me this past week, and the most amazing thing occurred in response. I didn't go into panic mode, something I've done too often in my life. I didn't get fearful about finances or fall into despair over "what will I do now" thinking. I can't help but believe that part of the reason for that type of response is because of my word for this year (Come Away) and the new habit of giving intentional thanks to God daily via my new mini-blog. I believe those two things were, in part, the open window God provided in advance.
God has not given me a "spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline," (2 Tim 1:7), and He will direct my steps. Knowing that, I experience His peace. Now that's priceless.
BTW, I've added a Feedblitz link to my Thanksgiving Journal, so if you would like to get my daily thanksgiving posts via email, just go to the Thanksgiving blog, scroll down to the bottom of the left sidebar, and enter your email in the Subscribe Me box.
~robin
