Locked Out, But Not Alone

Since being married, I have grown accustomed to depending on my husband to always be available in case of emergencies. There is comfort in knowing that someone is there, someone who can step in, fix things, and handle the unexpected.

Well, today after a long day at work, I came home as usual and went to unlock the door. As soon as I touched the handle, the entire doorknob fell off. It was barely hanging on by a few loose screws.  My husband had attended a funeral about an hour and a half away and I knew the front door was inaccessible because we always keep it locked from the inside.  

I froze.

I had no idea what to do.

I immediately called my husband, but I couldn’t reach him. I called again and again, but his phone must have been off.

Next, I called the property management. They told me to submit a maintenance request online and that someone would get back to me. I filled out the form, called them back, and was then told maintenance could not come today, so I would need to call a locksmith.

I am new to the area, so I searched for a locksmith. In my haste, I accidentally called one in Georgia, the same city name but a different state. Meanwhile, my husband finally saw my missed calls and returned them. He told me he would be home in about 90 minutes and would get us into the house.

But I couldn’t wait 90 minutes.

So, I decided to go to the nearby Ace Hardware store. I didn’t know exactly what they could do, but I thought maybe someone there would guide me in the right direction. I showed the man at the counter pictures of the broken lock, and he told me he knew someone who could help.

That gentleman lived right around the corner, and he came and got me into my house.

The screws had completely loosened, and the doorknob had fallen off from the other side. He fixed it, and he did not charge me a single dollar.

I arrived home from work at 4:21 p.m., and by 5:00 p.m., the problem was completely resolved.

God is so good.

In that moment, I was reminded me of something important. While my husband is my earthly covering, he cannot be there 24/7. There will be moments when it is just me and God, and in those moments, God will direct my steps.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.”
— Psalm 37:23

Earlier that very morning, my husband and I prayed that God would order our steps that day. I had no idea I would face an unexpected problem at my own door.

But God knew.

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
— Proverbs 16:9

What felt like a overwhelming household inconvenience became a reminder that my help does not ultimately come from a person. My help comes from the Lord.

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.”
— Psalm 121:1–2

My husband is a blessing, my earthly covering, however; God is my source. And even when earthly help is temporarily unavailable, Heaven is never out of reach.

And that is peace.