His Open Door

I stood before a door that had been firmly closed for years. Suddenly it began to open. God said, “Yes!” He gave the green light to my lifelong dream of becoming a mother. I was overflowing with gratefulness and anticipation for what lay ahead. Who were these squirming babies within me?

Mingled with the excitement was the sobering reality that this blessing also came with massive responsibilities. Being the mother to twins was a daunting task. Caring for not one, but two babies would now be my responsibility.

My life would be very different. My world was turning upside down and inside out in ways I could never imagine. I was starting a new vocation with different objectives and duties. It meant my days and nights would look and sound very different. I would have to become well-acquainted with operating on little sleep. I was the point person for all their care, medical needs, development, and early education—academic and spiritual. The ball was in my hands to either score a massive touchdown or fumble.

I already knew that I was not up to the task in my own strength. I knew He promised to empower me with His strength and wisdom. He also promised never to leave me alone. The deeper questions seemed to be this: “Do I trust Him enough to take Him at His word?”

 When He promises His constant presence, will I believe Him, or fret because I feel alone?

When He promises to empower me with His strength, will I anxiously stew about how I will be strong?

It was the primer in His classroom of learning to trust Him. As I walked into the unknown beyond the open door, would I be safe with Him?  That was the real question.

I must entrust myself and my babies into the unseen hands of this God to whom I’d pledged my life. I grew up knowing I could walk closely with Him through Scripture. I could talk with Him constantly in prayer. Now was the season to implement and lean upon those practices I’d learned at our farmhouse table.

We only trust those we deeply know. Scripture reveals Him to us. Scripture unfolds His plan for humanity and His rescue mission on our behalf.

Through Scripture, I would see that He is the Author of Life. He created humans, the miracle of pregnancy and new life. He was more than able to hold my babies and me safely.

In His word, I learned that He knows everything—past, present, and future. That meant He was fully aware of each blessing and challenge that lay beyond this open door. He held knowledge and understanding I never could. I was safe with Him.

I was safe because of Who held me.  “…the eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”  Deuteronomy 33: 27

No matter what our journey held beyond the threshold, my babies and I were held in the everlasting arms of the eternal God.

In His word, I learned that His heart and His plans for me are always good. He wants me to grow strong, fearless, and courageous. Those qualities do not develop in comfort and ease. Though He may walk me straight into a squall, He goes before me and stays right beside me—He hems me in behind and before.

He would rise to meet me in ways I could never know as together we crossed the threshold into the unknown. My life was taking a massive turn, yet I need not fear because I was safely held. I was safe because the eternal God was my refuge, and underneath me were His everlasting arms.