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!

Saturday, September 2, 2017

God's Gifts of Peace and Blessing

So here it is, Labor Day Weekend, and we really don't have any big plans...no picnics, no bar-b-que, no large gathering of people...seems strange.  But our sons are at home and that is sweet company!  And our new daughter-in-law-to-be will be visiting tomorrow...so that is also a time to celebrate!  Therefore, in honor of this occasion I decided to bake some Dutch Apple pies:

And this afternoon I am also cooking a Boston Butt roast in the crock pot for "barbeque pulled pork" for supper and for sandwiches tomorrow. So I guess we are having a bar-b-que of sorts after all!

When a new person is becoming a part of the family it is an exciting time!  As we get better acquainted with our oldest son's chosen "helpmate", I especially feel more and more blessed to be gaining a "daughter"...another woman to help balance out our mostly male family!  It is thrilling to me to know that this sweet girl not only loves our son, but she also loves to cook, to create beautiful things, and she seems to be very happy to become an active part of our family. We thank the Lord for bringing this beautiful "Rose" into our lives! (That is her name!)


"Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!
For He has done marvelous things;"
Psalm 98:1

Earlier today I spent a little time walking through The Secret Garden.  I haven't spent much time there this summer due to the heat and the mosquitoes that just love to bite me whenever I step outside...but today seems a teeny weeny bit cooler and not quite as humid...so I ventured out to enjoy the beauty of that special place.

Upon entering the garden, I couldn't help but notice that some"one" had been visiting there before me:


One of our resident doves apparently left me a little gift to let me know he had flown by. (That feather is actually more gray than the picture makes it look)
I wonder which one of these it could have been? (There are actually quite a few more than these four doves in our back yard on a regular basis...here they are lined up in the morning waiting for me to bring out the bird feeders!)

I found this feather to be a gift...perhaps a kind of "sign" from the Lord...a sign of His everlasting peace...
The dove was a symbol of peace and God's promise to Noah and his children who were waiting on the Ark for the flood waters to recede so they could return to the earth and begin a new life. 
(Genesis 8:1-14)
This past week we have witnessed the ravaging floods along the coastal cities of Texas and Louisiana. Many lives have been disrupted and thousands of people are waiting for the waters to recede so they can return to their homes and begin a new life.
Perhaps the feather is a symbol of hope...the promise that life will soon be restored for these dear people.  
Tomorrow our President has proclaimed a National Day of Prayer for all those affected by this storm.
It is my prayer that our nation will truly take this opportunity to come together and pray for our country to be restored once again...in every way.




Have a blessed and peaceful Labor Day weekend! 
I know I will be praying for our nation...won't you join me?

17 comments:

  1. I truly believe God leaves us little signs of hope and encouragement along the way. He's so good to His children. There you are, baking more pies!! Those look so yummy...maybe I need to get in the kitchen and bake one for Mr D and I. I will certainly be joining you in praying for our nation. Hope your holiday weekend is happy and blessed.

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    1. Thank you, Mary...for your words of affirmation and encouragement always! I wish you could come over for a piece of pie with us! I must tell you that I cheated a little by using the Pillsbury pie crusts that are ready to roll out into your own pan. My mother would be horrified that I didn't make my own crust. She was the queen of pie crusts! But this turns out pretty good anyway...and I'll be she wouldn't refuse a piece of the pie if she were here to eat it! See you in the "prayer room" tomorrow as our prayers go up together to the Lord...we may be in different "rooms", but God is there in the midst of us. May your weekend be blessed. Still waiting to hear about that great-grandbaby?!

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  2. Your pies look sooooo good! I love the doves all lined up on the fence waiting patiently for seed!! Have a wonderful weekend!!! :)

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    1. Thank you Sis! I wish you were here to help us eat the pies!!! The offer still holds as long as the pie doesn't run out! LOL!! I hope you and Art have a wonderful weekend too.

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    2. Who knew doves were so patient? Don't try that with seagulls!

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  3. Yes, we will be praying tomorrow for our nation. We are starting a new series in my church, entitled, 'My Place in My Church', and the first thing we are doing in worship is going to the altar to pray for our nation, our community, our church and each other. Those pies look sooooooo good, and hope there is enough to go around, and any left overs, you can ship to Tennessee....:-) Have a lovely, restful evening.

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    1. That sounds like a great series to participate in. It is wonderful to know so many will be joined around "the altar" to pray today for our nation. No matter where we are, our prayers will go up together to our Father in Heaven...Who is already there, working on behalf of all those in need. I wish you could come and have a piece of pie with us! Not sure it could survive a trip to Tennessee! Praying for you and your hubby. If I could, I'd bring some pie to you!

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  4. Oh,beautiful pies!
    Praying for Texas up here in NJ. I am glad to have a man in the White House who encourages prayer.

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    1. Amen!!! That, in itself, is an answer to many prayers! Thank you for your visit here. I wish you could stop in for pie!! Have a blessed and peaceful Labor Day!

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  5. Your eyes are opened, Pamela, to see the signs, even the smallest of them, of how God is working in our lives each and every day. Yes, praying for the victims and the responders daily, and so glad President Trump made Sunday a national day of prayer. It speaks volumes to where his heart really is.
    Blessings to you and your growing family! Rose, I'm sure, will be a beautiful addition to the Steiner household.

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    1. Thank you, Martha...you have been instrumental in helping me to see "the signs, even the smallest of them, of how God is working in our lives each and every day." Your wonderful books are such prime examples of the world around us that we sometimes overlook if we aren't "tuned in" to the messages that God may be sending us through His very own creation. Truly, "This is my Father's World"....

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  6. Congratulations on gaining a daughter!

    I was really touched that President Trump called for a day of prayer.

    I love your blue feather. I hope it means, "I'll fly away," in the best ways possible. From trouble, from worry, from dirty dishes in the sink...haha!

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  7. Pamela, thinking of you today while I am watching the news about Hurricane Irma. Of course, they are so unpredictable, but just wanted you to know I am praying for you. Looks like Florida is in its path. I am in NC, just southeast of Raleigh. Usually, if they hit you they slide up here too. So we'll just ... well, pray. :)

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    1. Thank you for your prayers...yes, we've been gathering our supplies and preparing for "the worst", even though we are pretty far north of the main impact region (at least we pray so). Will pray for you as well, as yes, this storm is still unpredictable. May the Lord steer Irma totally away from all harm. Praying hard.

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  8. Hi Pamela, those dutch apple pies look so yummy! I've been watching the news on "Irma" and praying too. How I wish I had a secret garden to sit in and spend time with our Lord. Although I spend time with Him all day long no matter where I am. Keep safe dear friend.

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    1. Thank You, Toni...Yes...we are keeping a watchful eye on Irma, and making preparations accordingly. Thank you for your prayers. I know your daughter is here as well...and so you have an extra "vested interest' in our safety. We are trusting the Lord for the best.

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  9. Pam, It sounds like you had a nice Labor Day weekend. Your pies looked amazing. I'm so thankful for how you see and share God in the smallest of things and perhaps even in the most mundane of things. Like you, and others, I'm glad our president called for a national day of prayer--the weather of late as well as all that is going on in the world does call for prayer.

    Blessings!

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