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“The eyes of the Lord are in every place.”
Proverbs 15:3a (NRS)

Saloon Door Theology

This a term I first heard from Dr. David Bishop during a theology seminar. Saloon Door Theology–a way of teaching a biblical concept that may not be perceived the same way by all who are listening. A saloon door is most welcoming to the first individual entering through the door. Yet, the person following may get slapped in the face as the door swings back.

A great example of saloon door theology is a pastor stating our loving Father is there for us all. Sounds great to most, right? But what about the individual who has suffered abuse at the hand of her own father? Can that person relate to the analogy? The entire concept may be lost on that person.

Suddenly I realized there are also Saloon Door Situations.

I encountered a situation such as this recently. Let me explain.

Church has been difficult for me since my husband’s death. Every time I go, I am overwhelmed with reminders of my husband.

This morning, for the first time since his sudden death, I am in a good mood, eager to join together with God’s people in worship. An easy light banter with friends before the service had me smiling as I enter the choir loft, and as I sang through the first two songs. I was so ready to worship God joyfully!

Our adult education minister stood to welcome the congregation, congratulating a couple on their 69th wedding anniversary. Wow, 69 years married! And all I can think of is my Bruce. Why did we only get 22 years? Why was he taken from me so young?

I feel the saloon door slap me in the face.

My joy left. Grief crashed into me, rushing over me yet again. I struggled through the rest of the music, hiding my feelings through the sermon as I sit facing the whole church in the choir loft.

The pastor began to preach on Proverbs 15:3. The Lord is with us even when we try to hide from him or when we think he isn’t there. Even though we may perceive God is not present, the reality is God is with us at all times and in all places. That message drives home for me personally. God knows my situation. He knows I am hurting and missing my husband. Those feelings cut like a knife into my chest. He knows that I’m just struggling to breathe and not cry in front of all these people.

The Lord is here to comfort me, holding my hand through this entire process. He will not forsake me. He has blessed me in a thousand small ways. I need only to concentrate on the blessings and not on the loss.

I begin to count those blessings.

Wow! God is so great, so magnificent…and yet He is also in every small detail. I see His work appear in seemingly trivial times, as well. I want to burst into song again. The song Count Your Blessings streams through my mind! The grief is pushed back, and joy slowly pushes through again. I feel a quiet, simple peace, joy fueled by God’s love and empowered through His Word.

Then I realize, God has done it again. He has blessed me with this pastor and his words, with music I have sung in the past, by friends who smile and give quick hugs…God is so good!

God, I pray that we are aware of the many blessings You shower on each of us. Thank You for Scripture which pops into our minds as we struggle. Thank You for the music streaming unbidden through our subconscious, which is always just the right song for a particular time and situation. Thank You for the pastors who bring the honest and truthful messages of Your Word, who don’t apologize when the sermon steps on toes, and who are always there when we need a human hand. Thank You, Lord, for Your love! Amen.