Our 5-year-old bulldog Stig LOVES going for a ride in the truck. When my husband or I say those magic words or Stig’s watchful eye catches us looking at him invitingly, he immediately jumps ups and races down the hallway and plants his gigantic face followed by his sturdy 55-pound body right at the door to the garage.

He stands immovable, waiting for the door to open so he can bolt into the garage and go for a ride in the truck. Unfortunately, we can’t open the door at all because of his proximity. So, in his eagerness and haste, Stig actually becomes a gigantic doorstop and an impediment to his own happiness.

“Back, Stig. Back!”

He knows what it means, but almost as if punctuating his decisive willingness, Stig cannot back away more than a few inches from the door.

So, this silly, 99-point turn exercise begins. Stig gives an inch. I open the door an inch. “Back, Stig.” Stig gives an inch, but presses his face firmly on the open crack. I open the door an inch. And so it goes until the door opens wide enough for his head and then he somehow splits the space for the rest of his body to slide through.

Then, in a flash, he catapults his bulky body into the garage and disappears from view as he begins the wait for the truck door to open.

It’s been a bit more challenging during the past while that Stig’s wearing a cone of shame. He knows how many inches the door has to be open to get his head through it and doesn’t seem to care that he currently has a wide load around his neck. So, in his enthusiasm to get out the door, his head gets really jostled passing through that portal to freedom.

Anthony and I groan over this habit. If he waited two seconds, he’d be out the door substantially faster. We’ve stopped him with treats further down the hallway, but his determined mind wants to be right at the doorframe.

Opposing Door Takeaways—Steadfast Expectation

When the time comes to go for a ride in the car, Stig immediately presents himself and steadfastly waits for a glorious realization of his expectations. He knows he only needs 10 inches or so to get through the door. He patiently waits for the door to accommodate him. He knows it will.

He does what he needs to do to get to the door. Then he knows it will open for him.

You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.

Therefore…let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.

Do I have that much steadfast faith?

Opposing Door Takeaway—Getting In His Own Way

For behold, the Lord hath said: I will not succor my people in the day of their transgression; but I will hedge up their ways that they prosper not; and their doings shall be as a stumbling block before them.

In an instant, Stig becomes his greatest obstacle.

There are so many ways to impede progress physically, mentally, spiritually.

How often do I impede my progression? I’ve found that limiting belief or unbelief slams me right against the door with no way to open it unless I move by changing my mind, attitude, habits, or heart.

Stig’s heady, enthusiastically stubborn approach to life makes me laugh and becomes a great metaphor for when I feel stuck at the door to the garage waiting for the promised ride in the truck..

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