We live in a small house built in the early 1940s. Two bedrooms, one bath, and one tiny hallway. The hallway is almost a tiny square room itself; it almost doesn’t even count as a true hallway. I have been trying to convince my husband to let me hang some really funky wallpaper in this tiny space — something with character, interesting, unique…. this idea has gone over like a lead balloon.
To my husband’s defense, why would you spend money to decorate a hallway? Why spend money on a space in your home where you do not spend your time? These are both very valid points. I do not regularly sit in my hallway and ponder the great questions of life. I’ve never been to someone’s home and left thinking, “Man, that hallway was amazing!”
Sometimes in life however, we find ourselves stuck in the hallway waiting for God to open a door. We are lost, confused, and stuck not knowing what our next move should be. Just an endless row of doors, locked, not opening for us.
There have been times in my life that I felt as if I lived in the hallway. I mean, I had a full house in this hallway. Just stuck there admiring all the doors that were closed in front of me. Nothing seemed to be happening in my life. My friends were opening the doors to marriage, children, exciting careers…and here I was, stuck in the hallway.
I could have just stayed in the hallway forever, sulking, asking why nothing was happening for me. I could have ripped doors open that weren’t meant for me and ended up miserable and more lost than before. Or, I could have decided to thank God for the hallway and know that when I was ready, He would open the right door for me. I decided to wait, and God has opened the most wonderful doors. More wonderful than I could have ever imagined for myself.
There is a quote by Nicky Gumbel that fits this perfectly, “Until God opens the next door, praise Him in the hallway.” How wonderful! Praise Him while you wait. If you are praising God while you wait, you will learn to love the hallway. It is a place that God uses to prepare you for great things. Love your hallway, put the funky wallpaper up if you want! Praise Him and get ready for your next great door to open. He is working on something great for your life.
This week’s recipe is a bit different. I don’t normally do a lot of dessert recipes, but this one seems to be perfect for this time of year. My parent’s have blueberry bushes, and they are always the best in the world! This recipe is an easy, sweet dessert featuring blueberries. I hope you enjoy it!
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
December 20, 2024
