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, March 16, 2017

The Secret Garden Chronicles-Thankful Thursday


Today is Thursday...and I am thankful for so many things...

1.  This may seem trivial, but I am thankful that the only flowers that appear to have been hurt by last night's freeze were my lovely wisteria blossoms:

This is how they looked yesterday afternoon:


And here is how they look today...so sad


I hope the new buds will still have a chance to bloom...but if this is all that was damaged, I will not complain.  We are very thankful for the sunshine this afternoon and hopefully warmer temperatures tonight...and praying for all of our northern friends who are still shoveling out of a big blizzard. Praying they have power restored and that they are safe and warm.
That is much more important than my wisteria blossoms!

2.  I had a good report at the doctor this week...all my labs look good and I am very thankful for good health and renewed strength.  Praise God!
3.  Thankful for answers to prayer for several others who have had serious health issues...and progress is now being made in the right direction.
4.  I am thankful that I got our taxes done this week...and we are getting an unexpected wonderful refund!!! Praising the Lord for that bonus we never knew was coming!!!  Much needed and appreciated!!

I am also thankful to see these little bear footprints that apparently walked across our yard last night. There was no picture on our night camera, but at least we know they are still "out there!"
(Pardon the BIG FOOT on the left...just trying to give you a comparison of size...)
These are rather small bear prints, so that means there may be a young bear cub out here....Gotta watch out for mama bear, if that is the case!

These are the most recent bear pictures on our night camera, and that was over a week ago, so I 
don't know if this is the same bear as last night's foot prints or not.  He does look kind of small, but not really a cub.


Now, back to more pertinent thoughts:
One of my goals for this season of Lent was to reach out more to our neighbors.  We have lived in this neighborhood for five years, and because I was working for most of those years I really didn't get around to get acquainted with many of my neighbors.  We actually don't have very many neighbors because this is primarily a vacation/snowbird community, and many of the homes near us are just that...seasonal/vacation homes...and many of the owners have not been back to "vacation" very often at all.  And then our neighbors directly behind us moved back up north last year due to health reasons, and only recently has that home been sold and a new neighbor moved in.  I have been praying about a way to welcome him to our neighborhood and include others nearby as well.   So next week we are having a neighborhood cookout here before some of the snowbirds on the street head back home for the summer.  I am praying it will be a time of blessing for all who participate...and especially praying for our new neighbor, as he seems very lonely and was most appreciative of the invitation. We asked him if he attended church anywhere, and he replied, "No, I like to go fishing...and that's my church."  So, my prayer is that somehow we will be able to find a way to encourage him in his spiritual walk as well.  

This little "prayer-chorus" came to mind as I was thinking about this: (Click on the video for the music and other verses that I didn't have printed)

"Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All His wonderful passion and purity;
O Thou Spirit divine,
All my nature refine
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me."

Then that led me to the following scriptures:

Colossians 1:27
"Christ in you,
the hope of glory."

Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ,
it is no longer I who live,
but Christ lives in me; 
and the life I now live in the flesh 
I live by faith in the Son of God,
Who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Galatians 6:7
"Do not be deceived,
God is not mocked;
for whatever a man sows, 
that he will also reap."

Galatians 6:8
"For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption,
but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap 
everlasting life."

Galatians 6:9
"And let us not grow weary while doing good,
for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."


Lord Jesus, I pray that Your beauty will be seen in me...and that anything I do will be a reflection of You.  Help me to stay focused on YOU and You alone, that You may be glorified in all that I say and do, both here, and in our neighborhood and community. And help us not to lose heart as we seek to do Your will in reaching out to others. This I pray in Jesus' Name, Amen.

A Benediction of Grace:
"Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
be with your spirit.
Amen."
Galatians 6:18


13 comments:

  1. I've never seen bears around here. That's amazing to see his paw prints and catch him on camera. Happy for the good doctor's report your received. I love the song you shared. What a great prayer: May the beauty of the Lord be seen in me.

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    1. Thank you Karen. Yes, I love to see the bears and their footprints. We know we are not alone here in our woods...of course, we are never alone anywhere, Thanks to Jesus!! Yes, the Lord is good and I feel great! So thankful! And may Jesus be seen and glorified in all I say and do. Thank you for your wonderful thoughts shared on your posts each day. Always makes me thankful to have such great Christian friends here. I do see the beauty of the Lord in you!!

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  2. Your wisteria was so pretty! Sure hope it comes back for you. I am so intrigued by the bears that just walk through your property. Wow!! Good luck with your cook out and please keep us posted!! Hugs!!

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    1. Thank you Terri! My wisteria WAS pretty. I am glad I took some pictures the day before the freeze hit. I'm hoping some will come back, but we shall have to wait and see. I will post pictures of the bear that came through last night...may be the same one...I'm always excited to find their photos on the nite camera. Love seeing them in the daytime too,but that is more rare. Thank you for your good wishes on the cookout. I know it will be a lot of fun and a blessing for all of us! Y'all come!!!!

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  3. Loved reading YOUR thankfulness list! :) I will certainly pray along with you about your neighborhood cookout. I know God will be glorified because of it. We also live in an area where bears are frequently seen...only we don't have sand to so easily see there footprints.

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    1. I will have to post my new pictures of the bear from LAST night...probably the same bear although he looks a little bigger than what I expected. It is always fun to see their pictures on our camera in the morning....and also fun when we actually get to see them in the daytime, which isn't as often. Thank you for your prayers for our cookout. I feel really good and happy about it and everyone here is enthusiastic about it too! So it should be a real blessing for all of us!! Thank you!!

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  4. Galactians 6:9 is really speaking to my heart today! The whisteria is beautiful! have a great weekend!

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    1. Thank you, "likeschocolate" for your visit today! I just ran over and checked out your Traveling Bug blog, and see that you are a very busy lady...so I feel quite honored that you would take time out to come and visit me today!!! Such a blessing to meet new friends here!! Galatians 6:9 is a good verse to remember when we are feeling a bit weary in the journey. God will bless our efforts as we honor and glorify Him in all we do and attempt to do! Praying your new adventure will be a wonderful blessing for your family. Keep us posted!

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  5. I love what you are thankful for, Pam, and so delighted that you're hosting a neighborhood gathering soon. Such a great way to reach out to others in Christ's love! I hope you will let us know in a future post how that event plays out.
    Sorry about the wisteria - oh, how I love those flowers! Let's hope it will make a comeback.
    Blessings!

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    1. Thank you Martha Jane! I will keep you updated on the neighborhood events as they happen! And yes, I am sad about the wisteria, but maybe new blooms will still come forth. I hope so. It is always such a glorious show stopper when it blooms! But God is good and He will bring beauty in His own way. I just need to be thankful for what I do have! Have a very blessed and happy day today! Are you wearing green? I am!

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  6. Amen to your prayer. Hope your cookout has great success and that those around you feel the presence of God. Let your light shine for God's Glory!

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    1. Thank you Mary! I am looking forward to it and am happy that everyone invited accepted and seemed very pleased about the event...and all offered to and are bringing food! So how wonderful is that? God is good, and I am thankful! Happy St. Patrick's Day! Are you wearing green? I am!

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  7. Pam, Thank you for sharing what you're thankful for--there's a "power" in really reflecting on and sharing what and who we're thankful for. It's a great idea to reach out to others and share the love of Christ.

    Blessings!

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