doors

There is a short story called, “The Lady or the Tiger” by Frank Stockton that ends with an unsolvable problem. You see, a man must choose only one door and he doesn’t know if he will be devoured by the tiger or be embraced by his love. There are many times in our lives when we have to make choices and we really don’t know what’s behind the door we decide to open.

We worry. We wonder. Will it be the right job? Will this be the right person for me? Will the sun shine tomorrow? and if things don’t work out, what will I do? Am I doing all I can? Will I ever be forgiven? Was it the wrong or right decision? Will I ever be able to? Am I just imagining things?

And then you walk slowly to that door and touch the handle. Hesitant. You’ve made the decision to turn the knob. You decided that worrying isn’t going to open the way and wonder will never cease, You peek your head into the opening and realize; you worried for nothing. Simply because you decided to venture into whatever God has in store for you. He hasn’t gone anywhere. He has simply offered you a choice and you get to decide which door will lead you into the future. Freedom to choose. Peace in our decision.

The Retiring Carpenter Story
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. He would get by.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished his work, the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front door key to the carpenter. “This is your house,” he said, “my gift to you.” The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
So it is with us. We build our lives a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with shock, we realize we have to live in the house we built. If we could do it over, we’d do it differently. But we cannot go back. You are the carpenter. Each day, you hammer a nail, place a board, erect a wall. “Life is a do-it-yourself project,” someone has said. Your attitude and the choices you make today build the “house” you live in tomorrow. Build wisely!
Author Unknown

Jesus also said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Matthew 7:7-8