May 23, 2014

A Better Door Waiting To Be Opened

 

 

“When one door closes, another door opens.”

I’m sure many people recognize that quote and think it comes from the Bible. Several origin theories abound, but the most common is that Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) penned those words.

Bell was a Scottish-born American inventor and educator, best known for inventing the telephone. The complete quote is, “When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”

One internet writer explained that quote this way:

“Sometimes our disappointments in life can become God’s appointments, so don’t let closed doors bother you. The things we think of as failures and problems can often end up being blessings in disguise.”

Another wrote, “For those who believe in God, the belief that for every door that closes we see another door open goes way beyond simple optimism. Optimism is great, but it provides no basis, other than hard work and chance, that the other door would ever open.

“By faith, though, we know that God is ultimately in control and has a multitude of doors waiting for us. We look to Him for guidance and direction, and we know that all things work together for good for those that love God—things happen for a reason. So, if you’ve had a door close on you recently, be of good cheer, for God has a better door just waiting to be opened for you.”

This issue of the Sabbath Recorder marks a closing of a door for me; one I close by choice.

I can’t believe I’ve been penning Reflections for more than 13 years. That’s over 150 columns since March of 2001. Even after I retired as the SR’s Assistant Editor in 2008, I kept writing this page.

I don’t like change. However, since Rev. Kev is stepping down as Editor Extraordinaire, I’ve decided this is my last Reflections. Kevin has always made me “look good” as a writer, and I simply don’t want to pass on that daunting challenge to anyone else.

Also, God recently opened the door to one of my ultimate dreams: having a book published. As a budding novelist, I’m excited to walk through that door and down yet another writing path.

My first book is a murder mystery, and I felt God’s leading to donate half of the profits to the Milton (Wis.) Food Pantry ministry. I plan to write a sequel, but I’m also hoping to write an inspirational book about my faith-filled battle—and ultimate victory—over breast cancer.

I’m still writing a weekly humor column for the Milton Courier, as well as a monthly interview column. Side projects include completing my parents’ biographies.

So… I obviously haven’t been simply sitting around and eating bon-bons since retiring from the Center. (I do force myself to down a daily dose of Dove^® dark chocolate.)

My monthly interview column will probably be the next thing “to bite the dust” as I concentrate on other writing ventures. I’ve written my humor column for over 35 years, so that will be the most difficult door to eventually close. Meanwhile, I pray God will continue to bless my endeavors as I glorify Him through the talents He’s given me.

I leave the SR with a heartfelt “Thank You” to Kevin and to all of you faithful readers. I pray God’s blessings on each and every one of you.

Goodbye, shalom, toodle-oo, cheerio, farvel, adieu, sayonara, ciao, auf wiedersehen, aloha, arrivederci, guten tag, au revoir, alavidha, adeus, do svidaniya, salaam, hooroo, dovizhdane, dooey, dag, tot ziens, kwaheri, zài jiàn, ma’a salamma, and adios.

P.S. My computer’s spell-checker just exploded.