Windows and doors

There was a Christian song that was popular when I was in Jr. High school (think 1980's) with a chorus that had these words: "When God closes a door, He opens a window." Looking back it certainly wasn't the greatest of songs but at least it was catchy. These exact words from the song don't appear in the Bible, but their concept comes from Malachi 3:10 where God declares, "See if I will not open the floodgates (windows) of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure." The point is that when we are faithful to give to God (in the case of this Malachi passage it's a 10% tithe) then God will certainly take care of us and more.

I'm sure that many people have used that verse for all sorts of fund raising ideas. I know that the church in which I grew up (which still is a wonderful church) used the slogan "Opening the Windows of Heaven" as a means of encouraging us as members to sacrificially give to a new building program. Other groups have also certainly abused this verse and used it for ill-gotten gain.

My family is now in the position of seeing just what kind of windows God has in mind. If you keep up with this blog at all (for those of you who do I say, "Thanks!") we put in a bid on our first home a couple of weeks ago. The bank, who had repossessed the home, came back immediately with a big fat "No." We were encouraged to submit one more bid last week which we did, only to find out yesterday that it was denied as well (Long story short: the bank is now in trouble and there is an outside party trying to sell this thing for way more than they will probably ever receive for it).

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little disappointed. Dreams of my kids having plenty of room to play and of a house big enough to entertain in were constant thoughts these past few weeks. Yet even in the midst of us being turned down on our offer, I have a strong sense peace and even a bit of relief. If God doesn't want us in this house then neither do I. And, if He doesn't want us there, then I can't wait to see where He does put us in the future.

So a door has closed and we now wait for the proverbial window to open.