Open Doors in Unlikely Places.

“I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” -Revelations 3:8

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.” -Isaiah 55:8

Deed: an action that is performed intentionally or consciously.

God knows our plans or deeds but he also has plans for us. Thank God He is actively involved in our lives.

Lauren Daigle released a new song recently called “Hold On To Me”. There’s a verse which says “ When I’m slammin’ all the doors you’ve opened… hold on to me.” That struck me hard. I think sometimes we intentionally slam doors shut because of fear, aggravation, stubbornness but I also believe that sometimes we get so stuck in a mental rut after having door after door slammed in our face. We tend to have a mindset that doors which are open for others are closed for us or could never open for us. Instead of trying to open the doors we know God has for us, we just start walking past them. Finally one flings open and God says, “okay... enough, time to walk through.” It may not be one you want to walk through (and we always have a choice) but you choose to anyway.

When the suggestion to move out of California to Missouri presented itself I felt as if I fell through the door. I wasn't sure I wanted to go and never in a thousand years did I think I would ever come back to Joplin but I walked through. I was hopeful yet still had the mindset I’d have to force more doors open. “I’ll get a job waitressing-something transient short term.” I hate the food industry but I thought “whatever it takes.” I was fulfilling my dream of living somewhere along route 66 waitressing, serving people pie and coffee making whatever I could until I saved up enough to get the hell out of town. It was far from a dream. With all that to say, I wasn’t allowing myself to think outside the box. And maybe I was afraid of landing something better because that meant a longer commitment to Missouri. I was limiting myself and God. I've felt tired, discouraged, angry and thought “This is it for me I suppose.” That was until God opened a door which presented hope and new possibilities.

Missouri is an unlikely place and one I'm not particularly fond of at the moment. A place where I thought there was no room for growth, opportunity or open doors. Once again, God proved me wrong.

My God can open doors and use people you never would have thought. I wasn’t looking for this nor even imagined a position like this when I recently ran into a girl I worked with TWELVE years ago at Hollister Co. Long story short, she was now manager at Ulta. We ran into each other while I was shopping and I asked her if they were hiring. They were but only for a part time position and I needed something more. I then got the waitressing job which I was at for two months and started to grow very weary at. One day I checked my inbox on Instagram and *Kate had messaged me with a job opportunity that had me immediately thanking God. She said when the position came available I came to mind. I applied and got the job! Not only did got open this door in His perfect timing but this position is opening up opportunities for me that I couldn’t have conjured up on my own. I’m also able to apply my training to my personal work projects and as a makeup artist.

Bottom line, God is working. He’s unlocking doors in unlikely places with unlikely people. What you may deem a setback or dead end God uses to put an open door. What's even more exciting and humbling is He does it despite our grumbling, doubt and fear. He comes along right as we’re about to throw in the towel when we're tired and unmotivated. I’m still not fond of being in Missouri but this situation has reminded me of God’s grace, power and love. If you’re in an unlikely place or situation, feeling tired- I hope my experience can be a reminder, encouragement to you and makeup for your soul.

Love,

Aubrey

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