Have You Knocked At Every Door?
Have You Knocked At Every Door?
I’m reading Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. Do you ever begin a book & realize you were destined to read it at just this time in life? That’s how Les Mis feels.
Yes, it’s a huge, thick book but I like those the best. It’s like meeting a new friend & having lots and lots of long talks. The right book can become a beautiful relationship & I already know just 1/4th of the way through Les Mis that this is going to be a life-long companion of mine.
The pages of this book have resonated with me tremendously over the past few weeks. Parts of my life feel out of control & I’ve begun to experience moments of hopelessness. I’m sure many of you have experienced hopelessness in some way, whether it be financially, relationally, or spiritually.
You know the verse, “knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matt. 7:7)? Well, it hasn’t seemed like that to me lately. I’ve been knocking & nothing has happened.
But then I read this passage in Les Mis; Jean Valjean (the protagonist) is homeless, an ex-convict, and has been turned away from every inn and public house in the little town of Digne. He lays down on a bench outside of a church when an older woman comes out and asks about his story. He tells her there is no place for him in the whole town.
She asks:
The door she is referring to? The open, unlocked door of the old & faithful Bishop of Digne who welcomes him in, feeds him & gives Jean Valjean the first clean bed & set of sheets he has had in 19 years.
I began to realize from this passage that it’s not that the doors aren’t opening, it’s that I think I have been knocking in the wrong place.
More specifically (and personally), I’ve been seeking my own solutions to problems instead of turning to the Lord, asking him for direction & knocking on His door first before I waste my time at others.
I want to encourage you to not feel hopeless, to not feel as though you’ve knocked on every door because you haven’t, there’s always one more door and I want you to “knock there.”
P.s. Most of you have probably heard of Les Misérables in the context of the stunning broadway musical. Well guess what? They’re making the musical into a film full of unbelievable casting & it’s coming out December 14th. I cannot wait!
Check out the trailer HERE (& maybe grab a few tissues!).
31 Comments
Molly
Again another amazing inspirational post. Thank you for always sharing such wonderful things that make me really think about life. I feel that when one door closes another one opens and there is always a reason.
Amy
Amy,
I think there are reasons/benefits/trials/learning moments in every change that comes our way. It’s all about our attitude in how we face them. Sometimes the “reasons” are much harder to find than the self-examination our change may force us into. Turning all changes and challenges into positive, useful and growing experiences is the best way to make it through them. Thank you for reading!!
[…] You Knocked At Every Door? Posted on August 30, 2012 by […]
great blog, babe. i love you so much! you’re just the best writer ever.
Thank you darling!
I agree wholeheartedly about knocking on the wrong doors! I am in constant need of reminding that God will provide, and I often go looking to provide myself. It is not as easy as it sounds to turn to God. I think most of us are more self-serving than we ought to be (certainly I am), and I am certain most of us find it extremely difficult to “let go, and let God”
And as I type this out, I know I continue to “hoard”…
Annette,
So true! This is one of those lessons that I am continually learning. I’ve begun to realize that I don’t (believe it or not) learn things the first time around. God has to continually remind me of His power and my flailing attempts to hold on to the “power” I feel I have. Thank you so much for sharing Annette, we are peas in a pod!
Molly,
What I love most about your posts is you always remind me of my love for books and reading. I do not treat myself to this activity often enough. I am too busy with my phone and social media. You inspire me to get back to reading, especially the classics.
I love that at your young age your are so introspective and willing to share so much of yourself with us.
I adore who you are and the woman you are becoming.
Love you!
Lori
Lori, Thank you so very much! You should find a book that’s good for you & re-immerse yourself in the loveliness of literature. Personally, I recommend “Gone With the Wind” if you haven’t read it already. One of my favorites and you don’t have to creep through the 70 pages on the Battle of Waterloo that Hugo is putting me through. Thank you so much for your sweet words, you are too kind!