open doors and windows

In one of my favorite scenes from The Sound of Music, Maria muses, “When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window.” I’ve been thinking about doors and windows and the people in my life who God has used to open them. Often, we are unaware that God has used us to open a door or window for someone in our lives. We think we are just going about our daily lives, but something we say or do may open a door or window for someone. I believe these moments are divine. One such person who opened a door for me was Kerri. I’m sure she is unaware of the impact she made on my life and that by one simple act of sitting me down on a piano bench at church one day at our college Christian fellowship at Washington State University, would open a door in my life. That by simply saying, “Lauri, I’m about to graduate, there’s no one here who plays the piano, YOU have to do it. YOU have to lead worship. Let me show you how to play chords…” Kerri opened a door for me that day. For the next 20 years I led worship and “played chords.” For 40 years, I have been able to sit down on the piano bench and make music. One simple act opened a door for me and gave me a lifelong gift of music which I, in turn, have been able to pass on to others. Of course, my piano teacher, dear Mrs. Gilbert is probably turning over in her grave and muttering, “I tried to teach that little Cruver girl music theory and she just wouldn’t listen!” But God used Kerri as a divine instrument at just the right teachable moment in my life to open the door and usher me through, thank you my friend!