Doors in 2020

One of my favorite songs of the 1950’s is Green Door written by Bob Davie and Marvin Moore and sung by Jim Lowe.  I used to love playing the 45 rpm record as a small boy until it broke.  My brother had a fit because I would not let him play the 45’s Mom gave to me (she divided her 45s between us) so he jumped on my bed and landed on some of my 45’s; Green Door was one of those record that broke that day.  Mom found out what he did and took the record players and the records from us.  It was not until we were in high school that she gave them back.

Green Door is about a guy who can’t sleep and is trying to get inside behind this green door.  Behind the door he hears a piano playing, a lot of laughter going on and he longs to know what is behind the door.  The guy tries knocking, tries name dropping that “Joe sent him” only to be laughed at and have the door slammed in his face.  He did not have the “right credential.”  The song reminds me of those “night clubs” where people are standing in line hoping they have the right credentials to be let in; you have to be popular or know the right people before the “bouncer” sends you away.  So why am I thinking about this song, Green Door?

Doors have been on my mind quite a bit these past few weeks.  Many of you are probably familiar with the phrase, “when one door closes another one opens;” usually referring to a missed opportunity that really was not meant to be and to keep looking or expecting something better.  Alexander Graham Bell added the following which is so true for some us.

“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”

But what if one comes across a closed door.  Does this mean that this door is not to be opened?  Rasheed Ogunlaru believes why not and encourages one to take the risk.

“Just because a door appears closed it does not mean that it is locked - nor that it will not open with the right heart, call or touch.”

And what if one comes across a closed door, after knocking find it is locked should one keep banging on the door until someone opens it?  Some said that doors like this are not meant to be.

“If God shuts a door, stop banging on it!  Trust that whatever is behind it is not meant for you.” - Unknown

I looked back at some to the doors that presented themselves to me throughout this past year, 2019.  One of these doors was Kassiquan!  I took the opportunity to “blog.”  I have my Ahijado, John to thank for this; an encourager from the start.  Yes, each “blog” I posted is actually a door to my past that touches the present and moves towards the future; an opportunity for my readers to “see me.”  I enjoyed sharing my memories, experiences, insights, laughter, and tears.  My hope is that readers might find doors of their own that appear to them when entering my doors.  I realize that not every door will be appealing to all readers; those doors can stay shut but they will not be locked.  There will be no need to bang on the doors; just walk on in when you are ready.

One particular door that I keep coming back to is the one I opened when I was five years old; the door to my heart.  There is a Sunday school song we children would sing almost every Sunday called Behold, Behold!

Behold, behold!
I stand at the door and (knock, knock, knock),
Behold, behold!
I stand at the door and (knock, knock, knock),
If anyone hear my voice,
If anyone hear my voice,
And will open, open, open the door,
I will come in.

There is a painting by William Holman Hunt that illustrates this song taken from Revelation 3:20.  I remember a similar painting hanging in the Chapel at which I attend Sunday school.  This song teaches that Jesus stands at the door of our hearts knocking.  There is no handle on the door on the outside.  Jesus cannot open the door because it shut, locked from the inside.  Jesus cannot force the door open so Jesus knocks.  Only the owner of the heart can open the door from the inside.  Once the door of the heart is open, Jesus will enter and a communal relationship begins.

Green Door, the guy is knocking and cannot get in, he was not even let in because he did not have the right credentials.  If Jesus knocked on that “door,” would he be let inside?  Many people have “green doors;” there is a party going on inside.  Should Jesus knock on their doors would he be let inside?  Jesus does have the right credentials to enter “green doors” but the only difference is, he has to be invited in.  Revelation 3:20 states Jesus as saying, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if anyone hears my voice, and opens the door….;” this door has to be opened from the inside.

Tonight we are saying “good-bye” to 2019 singing “Aude Lang Syne” reflecting on the past and/or trying to forget the past and welcome 2020 with all its hopes, dreams and wishes.  But will we be welcoming the One who comes knocking on our door?



On the left, painting by William Holman Hunt (1827-1910)
On the right, copy that hung in the Chapel (Artist Unknown)


Green Door - 1956 sung by Jim Lowe for your enjoyment; click on the link below!

Have a Happy, Healthy and Blessed New Year!

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