Note the Hinge

This is me and our pastor’s wife, Karen Hodge, a few years ago after enjoying coffee at the Glen Eyrie castle. They were new to our church and we were getting to know each other. In the process of Karen sharing her story, she called herself “a hinge”. As a door is connected to its frame by a hinge (or three); Karen’s heart is to be a hinge connecting others to opportunities that fit them. Note the hinge in the above photo.

I appreciated her analogy that day, but didn’t internalize it.

Sometimes you just need to hear something more than once for it to click.

Last month Bill and I were part of a retreat for the Navigator collegiate staff from our Central Plains region that includes campuses from Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

The Sunday morning speaker called our staff team on those campuses hinges. They were the key, the hinge to college students hearing about Jesus. This time I internalized it.

In this chapter of my journey, I don’t often connect with college students. But I do often connect with women who do connect with students. And I too am a hinge as I steward my calling.

I am a hinge for them connecting them to Jesus as affirm them in their calling.
I am a hinge for them connecting them to Jesus as I connect them to the Word.
I am a hinge for them connecting them to Jesus as I encourage them in their journeys.
I am a hinge for them connecting them to Jesus as I share pieces of my story.
I am a hinge for them connecting them to Jesus as I steward my calling.

I’m a hinge as I facilitate Bible studies for ladies in our church.
I’m a hinge on our cul-de-sac as I live and share the gospel with our neighbors.

Karen has been a hinge for me several times. I’m so thankful for the opportunities she has opened for me.

We are all hinges. As we all walk with Jesus, as we steward who God created us to be, we have opportunities to influence others for the sake of the kingdom, to be a hinge.

Perhaps it’s in our churches. Perhaps it’s in our neighborhoods. Maybe it’s in the workplace or at the gym or book club. Maybe it’s in our families with siblings or with grandchildren.

Another phrase my pastor’s wife uses is we’ve been entrusted to invest. God has placed us in relationships, opportunities to invest or be a hinge for that person. They NEED you!

“You then, my child, be strengthened
by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,
and what you have heard from me …
entrust to faithful men
who will be able to teach others also.”
II Timothy 2:1 & 2

Timothy was Paul’s hinge!

Where are you living your hinge responsibilities?

Copyright:  Sue Tell, April 2025