Beautiful Shadow
We have a community mailbox in our neighborhood. It's a walkable distance from our house unless it happens to be scorching hot out. On those days I usually drive down or wait till the evening when it cools off. We were expecting something in the mail (what, I don’t recall) but I grabbed my bride’s keys, backed her car out of the garage, and took the short drive to retrieve the contents of #10 - our mailbox.
Upon my return, I pulled the car into the open garage, which I thought I had shut when I left. I didn’t think twice about it until I hit the remote to shut it - and nothing happened. I hit it again - nothing. I hopped out and pushed the controller on the wall. I could hear the switch ‘click’ but the motor didn’t engage the track to lower the door.
I pulled the car out again, grabbed a step ladder from the closet and the garage remote from her visor and climbed up to investigate. Click - Click - Click went the switch and Nada - Nada - Nada went the door. I then pulled the red plastic handle hanging from the red cord to disengage the door from the track.
Climbing the ladder again, with the door now manually pulled closed, I clicked the remote to hear the switch go one last time and, like magic, the track started moving properly, sliding the door latch mechanism forward in the door-closing motion. “Clunk” went the door as it caught on the lattch. Hmm… I clicked the remote again and up went the door, slicker than hog-snot on a slapstick! Hmm… I clicked it again, just to see whassup with this neurotic garage door opener and, again, nothing!
I stood there for a few minutes, basking in the 100 degree heat. I looked down at the safety lasers near the floor to see if one of them had gotten bumped. They looked normal. I checked the one on the right side and it showed green - which is a good thing. I checked the left side and it showed no color at all. Eureka! I’d found the issue. So why had it just worked when I’d disengaged the door from the track? Why had it worked when I’d opened the door in the first place to back out her car, and again, after I’d reengaged the track?
That’s when it hit me. The opener was only working when the door was shut. The garage door wasn’t neurotic, as I was imagining…the sun was shining right into that laser and overpowering it. I grabbed my remote and walked over to the side of the garage so that my body would cast a shadow over the sun-drenched laser sensor, hit the clicker and - wallah! - the door worked like a champ!
I share the story as a note to encourage today. I have two reasons for doing so. First of all - if your garage door is acting up and it’s a sunny day, check those little sensors and see if casting a little shadow over the one that isn’t illuminated helps. I wouldn’t call it a pro-tip or anything - just something an old fix-it-yourself guy learned recently.
But the real reason is that I am reminded that we can all learn to think in a new way when a problem or issue arises. Blaming (doggone neurotic opener!) isn’t likely to help. The problem still needs addressing, a goal-oriented solution is what we need. For me, that day, the solution actually came quite accidentally. Sometimes we have to call in some reinforcements, some help from a trusted, solution oriented guide or friend. Be reminded that it never helps to call folks who let you just rehearse your blaming posture regarding the problem you are facing. Call folks who help you find a solution that moves you toward your goal.
I’m reminded of a favorite Psalm from a fella who dealt with many complex matters in his day. Moses led a storied life. In his maturing years he penned these words as he reflected on his journey. You can read the whole thing in #91.
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety: he is my God, and I trust Him.
Shelter in the shadow…I love the visual.
Peace~
Craig
