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!

Friday, October 14, 2016

Friday Foto Friends - Lazy Bones Sleepin' in the Sun

Lazy Bones Sleepin' In the Sun



Lazybones, sleepin' in the sun....how you spect to get your day's work done?
You can't get your day's work done......sleepin' in the noon day sun.


Lazybones, layin' in the shade....how you gonna get your cornmeal made?
You can't get no cornmeal made....sleepin' in that evening shade


When taters need sprayin', I bet you keep prayin'
The bugs'll fall off of the vine
And when you go fishin' I bet you keep wishin'
Them fish don't grab your line


Lazybones, loafin' all the day.....how you spect to make a dime that way?
You won't make no dime that way.....loafin' in the shade all day
Songwriters: CARMICHAEL, HOAGY / MERCER, JOHNNY  Lazybones lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.





Howdy Friends! I feel like it's been a long time since we last communicated...but it's really only been a week...It's just that last weekend was such a "wash-out", with Hurricane Matthew passing by and the loss of power, and absolutely no communication with the outside world for 36 hours.   But then I look at what the poor people up in the Carolina's are still suffering...with flooded homes, towns, roads, and many unable to go back to their homes, and I feel a little bit guilty that we were spared so much...but so very, very humbled and thankful. 

Yesterday we met with our family at a restaurant for lunch up on the St. John's River.  It's one of my favorite places to go because we can sit out on the deck overlooking the river while we eat. These "lazybones" baby alligators were totally unaware of the world around them as they snoozed in the noon-day sun.  I say they were unaware, but I am certain they would have sprung to action if someone had jumped in the water nearby...something I was not about to do even if I could have...because you can be assured where there are baby gators, mama gator is probably not far away.


While we enjoyed our lunch on the deck, we couldn't help but notice this houseboat floating by on the river.   I imagine the people on that houseboat are a lot like the baby gators...just "sleepin' in the noon-day sun"...not a care in the world it would seem...enjoying a day on the river...which is a wonderful way to spend a beautiful fall day after the stresses of last weekend's storm.

It has occurred to me that "sleepin' in the noon-day sun" is probably not a bad idea...perhaps not literally in the noon-day sun, but the idea of resting after a week of unusual stress is actually a very good thing.  When we go through the trauma of a bad storm and all the extra work that goes along with the preparation and clean-up afterwards, our bodies suffer more than we realize. Add to that other unexpected issues, whether they be physical, financial, or the environmental stresses and strains...or how about the current political assaults being assailed constantly by the media wherever you look...these are all issues that are overloading and affecting our minds, bodies and spirits.

The Lord gave us a beautiful picture of the rest that He provides for us when we are overwhelmed by the cares of this world. Read along with me:

"The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness 
for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the 
valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, 
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever."
Psalm 23:1-6 NKJV


This tells me that it is okay to take some time out to rest from the stresses of this old world...it's okay to spend some time just "sleepin' in the noon-day sun" when our bodies, minds and spirits are worn out, overwhelmed, or just plain tired.   Jesus told His disciples (including you and me):

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28

So, if you are feeling guilty about taking that extra nap, or you find that you feel like just sitting somewhere peaceful and doing absolutely nothing for a spell...DON'T! (Feel guilty, that is).  This is God's way of bringing healing to your soul.  He knows what you need...and He gives you permission to do just that.   
Thank you, Lord!

Linking up with Deb and friends at Friday Foto Friends today.  Hop on over there and see what others are sharing today.


22 comments:

  1. Pamela, thank you for that good word today. I sometimes fret because I don't think I am accomplishing as much as I would like or as much as I did when I worked. Those are some great pics you shared ... especially like that first one. It's a wonderful thing to sit with friends and soak up the sun on a beautiful day. I am truly thankful for the rest we have in Christ.

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    1. God created rest for us when He rested from His labors of creating the world. He intends for us to rest...and especially after stressful times...our bodies need the extra rest. I understand how you feel since I've retired I feel the same way. But then I realize that I still do a LOT, and my body IS older, after all! Have a blessed day...and rest while you recuperate from your eye surgery. Take care.

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  2. Oh, how we all need those lazy-bone times with the Lord! It is more than okay to give ourselves permission to go to that quiet place with Him and lay our troubles and worries and woes at the feet of the One who can take care of them all.
    Blessings, Pamela!

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    1. Thank you Martha! I am so glad that our heavenly Father made it clear that we are supposed to rest from our labors and the stresses of this life...He knows our frame and remembers that we are dust...and He cares about every particle of our "dust". So thankful.

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  3. Permission to nap!! Thank you Pamela for the reminder that Jesus wants us to take care of ourselves! I SO enjoyed your post today. Great photos of the baby gator(s). You are so right about the mama being close by. Wishing you a great weekend!

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    1. I think we all need that "permission to nap" more often than we realize...I know I do. Sometimes my eyelids go into "nap" mode without me even trying. HA! Thank you for stopping by for this little respite from the world today.

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  4. This was very restful to read, Pamela. Except for the gator. That made me scream a little.

    Hope you are having a good day!

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    1. Sorry to make you scream a little...you must be a Florida Seminoles fan. Ha Ha! (Are you from Florida? If not, you may not understand my humor...) Thank you for stopping by...glad it gave you a moment of rest...in spite of the gator!

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  5. It took me ages after I retired to feel comfortable about taking a nap if I was tired. Now, I can nap on command! I guess your photos show that a baby anything can be cute. Too bad those baby gators grow up to be big and mean looking! Have a blessed day.

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    1. I have found that an afternoon nap is almost an essential part of my day. If I don't deliberately take one, it often just happens anyway...Ha! Yes, the baby gators are cute...but definitely beware of the big ones! Hope you are having a better day. Praying for you.

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  6. Enjoyed the photos and the comforting encouraging words of your post even more!
    So glad you shared this
    I hope your weekend is restful!

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    1. THank you Annie. I am glad you stopped by and that you felt comforted and encouraged by these thoughts today. It's always amazing to me how God can take a photo and turn it into an opportunity to encourage others (and me too!)
      I pray your weekend is blessed and restful as well. Something we all need more of.

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  7. Pam, your post are always so uplifting! I just love to visit with you. Loved the poem, loved the pictures and loved the message. ((hugs)) to you sweet lady!

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    1. Oh Mary, Thank you for your kind words. I love to visit you as well...you seem like someone I could just sit down with and enjoy talking and praying and laughing and being friends. Thank you for being such an encourager yourself! Blessings dear friend.

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  8. Pam, we humans need to have rest (or to have lazybones times)--rest is God ordained. God didn't design us to be on the go continually.

    Blessings!

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    1. Amen to that Kim! I wish we would remember that more often. Our society is too much "on the go" all the time and people forget that their bodies really need to have those "lazybone times" on a regular basis. Now that I'm retired I find I am more inclined to do the lazybone thing more than the busy thing...Ha ha. Be blessed my friend...and rest in Him.

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  9. Hello Pamela! I am visiting from Friday Foto friends - my first time to share there :) I am delighted to visit your happy space today and completely agree with you about rest! The pictures you took of the alligators were delightful to see, but I am like you, no way would I venture close to them at all, lol! I'm glad that you survived the hurricane without much duress, and we continue to pray for the poor people of NC too. Happy to have met you today :)

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    1. Hello Spicing Up Idaho! I am so happy to make your acquaintance today! I just visited your blog and was overwhelmed by the beauty of your homeland. Thank you for sharing it with us. Praying for you as you hunker down for old man winter...who seems to be creeping up on you quickly! Blessings to you.

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  10. Again, I adore how you add scripture and "funnies" to your pics. These are just awesome! I'm so glad there wasn't any really bad damage due to Matthew. I feel so for those in the Carolinas who are still experiencing flooding. :( HOPE you have a great weekend. Thanks so much for being so faithful to comment and link up each Friday.

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    1. Thank you Deb. This is the place where God wants me to be His ambassador, whatever it takes. This page is dedicated to Him, so whether it be through pictures, scripture, or even some "funnies", may it always bring glory to God and a smile to your face! Blessings to you this weekend.

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  11. Pam. I enjoyed reading this post. I'm glad you were spared most of the damage of the hurricane. But 36 hours without power can be something to remember for quite a while.

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    1. Thank you Cecilia. We are truly thankful and give glory to God. Yes, 36 hours was enough for me, especially w/o water as well as the electricity. My heart goes out to those still w/o, and even many who are flooded as well. My troubles seem very small when compared to theirs. May God speed His mercy and grace to them.

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