What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Thursday, June 22, 2017

"The Sounds of Silence" - Updated


II Corinthians 1:2-5
"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and 
the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
Who comforts us in all our tribulation, 
that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, 
with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, 
so our consolation also abounds through Christ."

For some reason I've been drawn to this post that I wrote exactly 3 years ago, which was about one month after the passing of our precious son from this life to the next.  I guess because I woke up thinking about a couple of dear friends of ours who said farewell to their precious daughter one year ago today, and praying that the Lord would comfort them as they remember her on this " first anniversary" of her passing.  They say time is a great healer...and I must say that it does help...but the memories of our dear ones never go completely away....nor would we want them to.

At this stage in our grieving process, three years later, we are still hit with memories that bring us to tears, but there are also many moments that bring smiles and laughter as we remember and celebrate the person who our son was. He would not want us to continue in sorrow...why? Because where he is, there is no sorrow!  He is dwelling in the heavenlies with Jesus Christ...and every day is a celebration of eternal life...no sickness, no death, no sorrow, no pain...only joy and hallelujahs every moment!

I shared the above passage from II Corinthians 1:2-5 today because I have come to realize that often times in life, as we go through great sorrows and tribulations , we find that the day comes when the God Who comforts us helps us to also comfort those who are presently passing through their own tribulations.  It is a comfort to know someone else has already walked this type of journey before and can help us deal with the pitfalls and valleys of sorrow as we come upon them.  I know there have been many who have encouraged us along the way, and I pray that we will be able to comfort and encourage others as the Lord leads us.

So, without further ado, here is what I wrote three years ago...perhaps this will bring some measure of comfort to someone else today. I pray so.

Original Post 6/21/2014:

Hello Blog Page my old friend, I've come to talk with you again...   I kind of rewrote that phrase from one of my old favorite Simon and Garfunkle songs, "The Sounds of Silence", which said, "Hello darkness my old friend, I've come to talk with you again..."   That was the song that just popped into my head as I sat down here at my computer and tried to think about what on earth I was going to write.  It seems as though my mind has been a bit of a blank lately.  Actually, my mind is full of things...I just don't know how to say them. Not sure that I want to say them in public.

Not bad things, just private thoughts...thoughts of grief, sorrow, healing, 
comfort, sadness, memories, joy, longing, 
praying, wishing, hoping, wondering, 
thankfulness, 
praise, love, wistful, tender, 
crying, laughing....

You see, when you've said farewell to someone you love so much...one of your own precious children...
and even though
 you know in your heart that you will see him again someday
and you rejoice in knowing that he is no longer suffering...
he is fully whole and happy in heaven...

You still have those moments when you wish you could turn back time and start over again...and have things turn out differently...if you had the power to keep the disease from forming in his body...if you could have somehow changed the course of events...but then you realize that you are not God. You really can't see the bigger picture yet...the picture that God sees looking down at us from His heavenly throne.  You realize that now your child can see the bigger picture...and he understands the whys and wherefores...and if he could tell me so, he would tell me that it is all going to be okay...not to worry...God's plan IS the best plan...and I will understand it better by and by.

This morning I took my breakfast of a cup of hot tea, a homemade blueberry bran muffin fresh out of the oven, and a bowl of summer fruit and went and sat outside in the garden arbor that we just built in memory of our son, and I sat there in the garden and thought about these things. And then I allowed God to do His work of healing in my heart.  He knew exactly what I needed. Here are a few pictures that I took this morning as I welcomed God's therapy of peace and quiet to comfort me:

















God knew just what I needed. He always does.

I read in today's reading of "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young:

"Wait patiently with Me while I bless you.
Don't rush into My Presence with time-consciousness gnawing at your mind.
I dwell in timelessness;
I am, I was, I will always be. 
For you, time is a protection;
you're a frail creature who can handle only twenty-four-hour segments of life.
Time can also be a tyrant, 
ticking away relentlessly in your mind.
Learn to master time, or it will be your master.

Though you are a time-bound creature, 
seek to meet Me in timelessness.
As you focus on My Presence,
The demands of time and tasks will diminish.
I will bless you and keep you,
making My Face shine upon you graciously,
giving you Peace."

I needed that message today. I tend to be driven by time and things to do. I haven't allowed myself much time for healing..."The Sounds of Silence"...time to rest, time to appreciate the beauty around me. 

"Therefore I will look to the LORD; 
I will wait for the God of my salvation; 
My God will hear me.  
Do not rejoice over me, my enemy;
When I fall, I will arise;
When I sit in darkness,
The LORD will be a light to me."

Micah 7:7-8

15 comments:

  1. What a sweet place to reflect on a sweet son, a place where you can cry, pray, do all the hard work of grieving. It takes so much out of you. In all seriousness, I hope you're staying rested and hydrated--you need your strength for this part of your journey through the valley of the shadows. I suppose by now it goes without saying, but I say it anyway, I continue to pray for you and John and the rest of the family.
    Much love, friend.

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    1. Yes, I am beginning to understand just how long of a journey this will be...just when I think I'm doing ok, something is said or I see something or a picture flashes through my mind and there I go again, ole leaky eyes. But we are beginning to discover some joys that God is bringing into our lives in the process, like a more mature relationship developing with our grandson...truly a gift. We know that God is with us in this valley...and we also know that it will get better day by day. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. That truly does help.

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  2. Pamela:It is important that you allow yourself time to grieve. Someone said we grieve in relationship to how much we love.That's why I believe that it takes a prolonged time to get through the initial stages of grief. I believe I told you our niece said, " This never goes away." I believe the hurt mellows into memories. When we know we will see our departed again, we grieve differently.

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    1. Yes, we do not grieve as those who have no hope...we KNOW we will see our son again, in a far better place. But in the meantime we miss his presence, his voice, his smiles, his goofy faces. All the things that made him unique and wonderful. So thankful to know that this life is not all there is. And we still have wonderful days ahead while here on this earth. God knows exactly what we need and when. Thank you for your kind words today. I appreciate your wisdom.

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  3. We are kindred spirits after all Pamela. I can relate having lost two sons and a granddaughter now with the Lord. Even after so many years the memories and tears still come even though the pain lessens knowing they are happy in the arms of Our Father. Thank you for your wonderful post. Your secret garden is truly a wonderful place to reflect and pray. Have a day of blessings my friend.

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    1. Oh my dear Toni, I did not know this about you. My heart goes out to you this morning and I pray that the Lord will continue to comfort you and give you the grace and strength you need each day. So thankful for our Lord who comforts us. May your day be filled with joy and blessing today. (((hugs)))

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  4. Memories are precious! Your Secret Garden is so peaceful. Love all the photo's of he flowers and birds.
    Have a blessed Day!

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  5. Beautiful post. God gave us precious memories to have until we see our loved ones again.

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  6. Precious post! Melted my heart. Precious memories, how they linger. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  7. I had no idea you've lost a child....I can't even imagine the sorrow. I'm glad time is healing the wound as only God can. đŸ’œ

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  8. I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine. What a beautiful post and I pray God will continue to bless and hold you with His righteous right hand.

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  9. Those we love with all our hearts may be gone, Pamela, but never forgotten. It only takes an anniversary date, a look in a loved one's eye, a gentle fragrance on the breeze, to remind us of how much our departed one was and is still loved. God knows, He hears, He understands. May He hold you and yours in His healing arms of love as these difficult and painful memories wash over you at this time.
    Sending healing love your way!

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  10. Your post is beautiful ... as always. I think you express yourself so well. Having no children of my own, I cannot begin to imagine the loss you must have felt and continue to feel. It's so good to know the Lord and turn to Him for healing in our times of sorrow and grief. We know the truth of where our loved ones are and that we will see them again. But we miss them so. We don't understand why, but we know we can trust Him with everything that concerns us.

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  11. Memories are so important, Pamela! The good and the bad memories.Yesterday I read this prayer and I share it with you: "And please help transition my thoughts off of what I have lost and onto the promises I have in You - with one of those promises being that You will never leave me nor forsake me. In Christ's name, amen." Arita/Ariella

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  12. Pam, Thank you for sharing this post again--I didn't read it three years ago. Grief is a difficult but necessary journey that we all will walk down if we live long enough. Thank you for showing it's possible to grieve with HOPE. With God as our constant Companion and Guide, the journey seems a little less hard.

    Blessings!

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