*This article was first published in the West Grove Meeting August Newsletter!
In June I took the time to attend the event at London Grove Meeting which featured Seth Hinshaw speaking on Meeting House architecture. Overall I enjoyed his presentation. It was interesting to see the evolution of Meeting Houses. I had several questions I wanted to ask but unfortunately time was a limiting factor and the questions went unasked.
One of the questions I wanted to ask after Seth’s presentation related to which sides of the Meeting House was used for the women’s and men’s Monthly Meetings? Along with this came a question about the correct door through which to enter.
This door issue hit home with me. Once you’ve entered a Meeting House or church you know what door to use. However, for a first timer, this can be daunting when confronted with various choices.
A few years ago I went on a quest to visit different houses of worship. I was running a few minutes late for a first time visit to a different church when I was confronted with the “What door do I go in?” question. I picked a side door and upon entering realized I had picked the wrong one. I entered into an on-going service in the front of an entire congregation. ‘Embarrassed’ is an under-statement.
You might think this is not an issue at our Meeting House, but on my first visit I was confronted with three doors!
It’s easy now to say it doesn’t matter what door you come in from as long as you come in. This to me seems what early Quakers would have said, except they also would have made you choose the correct door.
Choosing the correct door to enter through is similar to choosing and opening the right doors in our lives. How many times have we been confronted with choices that will lead us down different paths and we ponder what is the right door? Recently I came across a Bible verse that seems applicable to this situation: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any a man hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me”.
When I read and think about this, I come away feeling that if I listen and open the door to God he will help me make the right choices. Having confidence and belief that he is with me helps me choose the right door. I hope you too will let him help you choose the right door.
Paul Hauser, member of West Grove Monthly Meeting
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