The Hidden Strength of Hinges

Sometimes life forces us to pause. I’m writing this while flat on my back, recovering from another flare-up that reminds me of the hardware holding me together — titanium rods and screws installed by my extraordinary neurosurgeon, Dr. Henry Elsner. Without his skill, my spine — the ultimate hinge — wouldn’t have the strength to bear the weight of my frame or my life’s journey.

As I lay there on a heating pad, sunlight drifted across a simple six-panel Douglas fir door. It’s been part of this home for nearly seventy years, quietly doing its job. But what caught my attention wasn’t the door itself — it was the hinges. Two small brass pieces, no larger than a man’s hand, faithfully carrying the hundred-pound door with ease.

There’s a lesson in that.

Hidden Strength Holds Us Together
Hinges never call attention to themselves, yet everything depends on them. The same is true in life. The quiet, steady forces of faith, family, and friendship often carry more weight than we realize. My titanium hinges are a daily reminder that strength doesn’t always roar — sometimes, it simply endures.

Alignment Creates Grace 
A door only swings freely when its hinges are properly aligned. So it is with us. When our hearts, values, and actions line up, we move through life with balance and grace. Misalignment brings friction — an invitation to pause and let God restore our center.

Small Things Move Big Things 
A hinge is a fraction of the door’s size, yet it makes everything work beautifully. Likewise, life often turns on small, faithful acts — a kind word, a note of encouragement, a prayer whispered at the right time. Great moments are often born from humble hinges.

As I looked at that old door, I realized both it and my spine share a sacred design — each built to hinge, to bend, to bear, and to keep moving forward. Whether forged by craftsmanship or by God’s grace, both exist to connect what was closed to what can open again.

“Great doors of opportunity often swing on small hinges.” — Anonymous

And sometimes, those hinges are made of titanium.