Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Doors (04/05/04)
TITLE: Cinderella's Glass Slipper Caught In a Plastic Door By WENDY DECKER 04/10/04 |
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After leaving the City of Angels to arrive in the City of Newark, NJ, there wasn’t much to sing about. Although God had always put a song in my heart, it was hard to find inspiration in the putrid smell of sulfur and thick clouds of smoke rising from the chemical plants that formed the skyline of the NJ Turnpike. It is true when one door closes another door opens. But sometimes we leave a little something in the doorway, like a doorstopper, so we can slide back through to the other side if we’re afraid to follow God’s lead. But the more delicate the door stopper, the more likely we will remove it and take our chances with the future so we won’t repeat history.
At this point in time I didn’t know God was leading me. Therefore, depression set in. That was a good thing, because my broken and contrite heart opened the door to His lead and Cinderella’s glass slipper escaped without a scratch. Good songs are inspired by joy and sorrow and boring songs from somewhere in between. My unrecorded album of songs was a rollercoaster in rhyme. But I sang and wrote and sang and wrote until a symphony played upon my heart.
His body writhed on the floor of the bar room stage with an upright bass wrapped around him like a blanket of blues. The intensity in which he played his instrument intrigued me as much as his handsome face did. On our first date, he opened the door to his truck and
I attempted to sit down, but couldn’t. There were papers strewn everywhere, empty soda bottles, chip bags and books on the seat. As cute as he was I’d already given him one strike and the date hadn’t even begun. As I disgustedly tried to clear a seat for myself, his cute raspy voice said, “Aayy, don’t step on that, it’s for you.” Amongst the mess on the floor was a red rose. I removed the strike against him, picked up the rose and shoved the books off the seat and sat down. As we were driving, I noticed a card with a bible verse hanging on his dashboard. I said to myself, I knew this was too good to be true; he’s one of the Jesus freaks.
Although, I said those words to myself, I also felt a sense of comfort. I thought if he is one of those, at least he wouldn’t try anything. After delicately asking him what the bible verse was all about, he told me about his recent discovery. He was a new Christian and he shared his good news with me, without sounding like a freak at all. It’s so amazing when I look back and see the details in which God used to bring me through each and every door.
It didn’t happen overnight, but the singer finally found music for her words, and now needed to find a new place to sing and bring Glory to God. Together we found a church and have had had the opportunity to sing, teach and write. As long as I have a pen or a voice I will continue to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. (Psalm 98:4)