When God Closes a Door

After a disappointing rejection, Jena Muhr felt like God had slammed a door in her face. Now she prays to know His will for her in the future.

In September I applied for a professional license that I hoped would expand my professional career and allowed me to “hang my own shingle” starting my own business if I chose. I applied because I was hoping to learn more, grow my skill set and, hopefully, be able to help others in the process. No concrete plans, but hopes and dreams.

I haven’t had professional or educational hopes and dreams for a long time, as I’ve been having children and keeping up with life has been enough. Submitting this application was my way of being brave, taking a chance and showing faith in myself and trying to accomplish something.    

The cost of applying was high and there was a lot of leg work that went into putting the application together. Tracking down old supervisors to give their recommendation and acknowledging that they had trained me. Notifying my current boss about my plans to apply and obtain her signature. There was high-level fingerprinting required and taking additional training courses to meet the current guidelines for continuing education. All in all, it cost close to a thousand dollars. The job I now hold has similar requirements, and I have already met them and worked in the field for many years. So I felt that my application would definitely be accepted. 

How the Cookie Crumbles

Low and behold, after five months of waiting I received a rejection email from the state. My educational background is outside the qualifications for this license. I was not expecting this in the least. As I said, I have worked in this field for several years and the state did not have any qualms about my educational background when I earned the credential for my current position. This license can be seen as an extension of that credential. From all the questions I have asked there is no course of recompense. The decision is final.   

When I first got the news, I was surprised. I knew that my educational background was different than many of my colleagues, but I’ve always seen it as something to my benefit. I had dared to dream — and I felt as though God slammed a door in my face through the state’s decision. And now I am at a loss.  

Looking for my Window 

So here I am looking around and wondering what my next move should be. I’ve always been told that “when God closes a door, somewhere He opens a window.”  

It’s not that there are no other things going on in life. I have a wonderful husband, three great kids and a fourth on the way. A job that keeps my mind busy and most days I feel that I am making a difference. A busy schedule of kid activities and a house that always needs something cleaned in it. And get to write for this blog once a month. Life is busy, blessed and wonderful. I’m not really lacking in much. But there was a dream and a goal and now that needs to change.  

Moving Forward 

Maybe the time for this dream was not now. And this is God’s way of saying that something else will come. I am confident that He has plans for me and my family. As for right now I will keep my heart open, do my best in all the things happening, and continue to have faith in God and His plans.   

These days my mantra is going a bit like this:  

For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the Lord—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) 

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Copyright 2025 Jena Muhr
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