White Doors, Stained Glass and a Country Song

May 4, 2024

A white door, stained glass and a country song might sound like a line from my next Top 40 country hit, an evening out in Nashville or maybe both.

Last weekend, while in Nashville to attend a Jo Dee Messina show (a 90’s country artist), I walked past these iconic white doors. I’ve written about “Red Door” moments, shared about “Overcoming Burnout” and now a story of the “White Door, Stained Glass and Country Song”.

If you recognize these iconic white doors and stained glass in the cover pic, then you know. Built in 1892, the iconic Ryman has served as the mother church of country music for over 132 years. The Ryman is one of my favorite venues to visit as there is just something magical about this building. If you’ve ever been in the Ryman during the day, then you know how the sunlight beams in through those iconic stained-glass windows and creates an incredible aurora effect within the auditorium. Add in a country song or two and you have an experience like no other.

On this day, it was the double white doors that caught my attention. At one time this was the entrance to the back of the auditorium. As I stood outside, I thought about the significance these white doors have had on thousands of people who have passed through them over the last 132 years. Some were looking for hope, some a good time, some an iconic moment and some probably never noticed the doors they walked through.

You see, throughout history the color white has represented a place of comfort, place of peace, a point of reflection and the list goes on.

As I wrote about in the “Red Door” post, red doors typically represent a strategic and impactful change or opportunity in one’s life. Those are seismic momentum shifts. However, white doors, although just as impactful, represent a place of welcoming comfort, a place of reflection, a reset, servanthood, or even surrender.

Just as thousands have walked through the Ryman’s white doors, if you are like me, you have probably walked through several white door moments in your life. Some maybe more impactful than others and some maybe you didn’t even recognize it.

Growing up, I loved to go to my Aunt Faye’s house, which was just down the road from our house. Aunt Faye always, always made me feel special and welcome in her home. Yep, I was one of her favorites (Big Smile)! I’d ride my bike over to Auntie’s house and we’d sit at her kitchen bar and discuss life. We’d talk for hours about life. Looking back those were “white door” moments in my life.

Could You Use a White Door Moment?

Have you been on a journey through life and could use a “white door” moment? Do you need a refresh or a reset of encouragement? Maybe it’s a surrender to something you know you are called to do but just can’t take that step. I believe white door moments begin with each of us and each of us can be someone’s white door.

Are You Someone’s White Door?

Have you ever held a door open for someone? There’s a simple act of servant leadership in that act and that can be a white door moment. White door moments start just like that. It’s as simple and holding the door for someone.

Be Someone’s White Door Today

Be someone’s white door today. You never know what your act of kindness, opportunity, etc. will do for someone who needs it. You never know who might need to walk through the door you control or have access to.

Remember those doors and stained glass at the Ryman? What if we were more like those doors and welcomed everyone, opened opportunities for others, brought comfort and peace throughout our day, life, career, etc., and allowed the light that is within us to shine into our home, the office, the conference room, etc.?

I’d admit right off, I’m not always there, but I have made a commitment to seek out opportunities to be someone’s “white door” every chance I get.

Dr. Dan’s Wisdom

I’ll leave you with this story from a recent visit to my chiropractor. While sharing with Dr. Dan, who is a semi-retired, old school style chiropractor, the stress that was reflected in my neck and upper back, Dr. Dan dropped these incredible words of wisdom.

He said, “Son, stress is a part of life. It’s how you embrace life that determines how stress impacts you. By resisting stress, you are resisting life. But by embracing the life God has blessed you with, you will find that stress has less of an impact on you.” – Dr. Dan.

I left Dr. Dan’s office realizing that I had experienced a white door moment. It was a reset for me, a refresh, and a reminder of the life God has blessed me with. Not only did I leave feeling “adjusted” I felt refreshed. I thanked Dr. Dan not only for the adjustment but for that powerful word of encouragement.

I’m Jason Thrasher and this is BestLife50.