We live by faith, not by sight
2 Corinthians 5:7
I’m fascinated with doors, love them. Walking the French Quarter in New Orleans, I took more pictures of doors than anything else.
Doors are strong symbolism for opportunities & rejections. How do we handle an opened door? Afraid of the unknown or do you have the faith to walk through with courage?
How do we react when confronted with a closed door?
There are times we want to bang on the locked door until our fist is bloody and our throat raw, or imagine going Chuck Norris on the thing that keeps us from our perfect life. Denying us what we think we desire the most. The one thing that would make us happy. Oh, but I have learned that closed doors can be the greatest gift, forcing us to find a new path.
Early in our marriage, with two baby girls, we tried to buy our first house. Denied, I was devastated. I ended up moving back home for a couple of months as we made new plans. That ended up being exactly where I needed to be at that time. Without warning, I lost my father in a plane crash, but the months spent with him can’t be replaces. God had answered a prayer I didn’t even know I needed to pray. Seeing the devastation of Katrina in the 9th Ward put many thing in perspective, also the support and faith to rebuild.
Yes, faith is believing in what you can’t see, but I also think it is seeing with faith. If we take the time to look we can see God’s love in the most unlikely places.
Jolene Navarro 
I can see your artist’s eye in the way you photograph scenes. Great post.
Thanks Marilyn – I think one of the reasons I love having a blog is to share my pictures. 😀 Might be a bit self-indulgent, but fun.
Beautiful post, Jolene!
There are gifts in closed doors. It may not seem so in the moment. We tend to want what we want without seeing the full picture. Yet our loving heavenly Daddy gently leads and guides us to the better choices, when we allow Him.
Thank you Jolene, for reminding me of the gift in closed doors. I’m at a closed door and the dawning of an opened door. While it can be easier to stay, do nothing, it’s important to move into my new season trusting that my Daddy goes with me.
Be Encouraged!
I have to remind myself all a time. Thank you for always having an encouraging word.
Great blog post! I love the New Orleans doors, too. I miss it. Really lovely, thanks.
Thanks Pauline. I was truly surprised how much I fell in love with New Orleans. I always thought of it as a wild party town…but I found as long as we stayed of Bourbon Street, the French Quarter was a lovely area to walk, even late into the night
Lovely post, Jolene! Closed doors often do lead us to new and better paths. Thanks for that thought!
The photos are beautiful, too.
Thanks for stopping by – some of the places did remind me a little bit of Hotel California. 😉
What a beautiful, insightful post. It took me years to realize this. I would spend all of my energy trying to force things. I’ve since learned to look at the bigger picture. Love this!
Thank you Joni, I still struggle with making MY plans happen the way I think they should go, but we learn everyday, right?
First visit to your blog…and I like it. Not self-indulgent at all. Keep sharing your art and your thoughts. 🙂
Thank you Pat. Nice way to start my morning. 😀
Your blog is inspiring. Thanks for reminding me to see beyond the closed door.
Reblogged this on For Reasons I've Forgotten.
It always amazes me how sometimes things come to me just when I need it. Your most eloquently written post about doors–open and closed came at a time when I am feeling so alone, brain dead, worthless, and untalented. I have to crawl out of the gutter to find the door but maybe I’ll get there. I always look forward to your FB posts, my friend. Now, I’ve discovered your blog and will have to add it to my favorites. Your photos are awesome. Thanks for sharing!
You are in my prayers. May you be lifted and know you are never truly alone. And UNTALANTED!!! What? Now your just pissing me off- haha Take care.