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, September 15, 2017

Post Irma Reflections - Friday Foto Friends



I am writing this on Thursday evening, four days after Hurricane Irma passed through...and since we got our power back on yesterday afternoon, today has been a day of putting things back in place, cleaning up, washing clothes, restocking our groceries, and reflecting on the mercies of God and His power over the storms of our lives.  We are counting our blessings and continuing to pray for those still without power and whose lives have been disrupted by this storm much more than we experienced.  Many will have roofs to repair, trees to remove, floods to dry out and homes to be restored.

 I find myself feeling guilty that we came through this storm so unscathed when others clearly lost so much.  I don't really understand why some have to suffer so much ...but I trust our God Who is in control to have mercy and grace for all...and to make a way for them to recover and come back even stronger than before.

Friday is Friday Foto Friends day...and I wanted to share some reflections from around our neighborhood ponds that are now full of water, thanks to Irma. I found this to be a peaceful way to end this day.





I apparently startled these two Sand Hill Cranes as I got too near their roosting place for the evening...they flew right over me squawking something awful! I about jumped out of my skin!
Maybe I'm still just a little gun shy from the storm after all.

These last two pictures are a "Before and After" set.  This first picture was taken several years ago early one morning as I walked along our road.  I have named this picture "The Angel in the Woods", as it appeared when the sun shone brightly through the trees to be like an angel watching over us. I have always loved this little section of the woods and have felt such peace every time I walked past there.

This is how that same place in the woods looks today after the storm.  Several trees have fallen, and the beauty and peacefulness has been destroyed.  When I discovered this, I felt very sad, like a sacred place had been taken away from me.

But for some reason God has redirected my thoughts on this tonight to read here some final reflections from His Word:

Isaiah 40:27-31

27.  "Why do you say, O Jacob, 
and speak, O Israel;
"My way is hidden from the Lord,
and my just claim is passed over by my God?"

28.  Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.

29.  He gives power to the weak,
and to those who have no might he increases strength.

30.  Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
and the young men shall utterly fall,

31.  But those who wait on the Lord 
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint."



For those who may be still suffering and struggling under a load of care and destruction...God says to wait on Him and He will give you strength...He will restore your homes and lives.  For those of us who may be saddened by the loss of those special "places" in our lives, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. He will give you all that you need to get up and walk...yay, even run again and not grow weary!  This gives me renewed hope and encouragement for the future...and perhaps now when I walk past that place in the woods I will be reminded of these verses and walk a little stronger!  Maybe I will even  "mount up with wings like eagles...(or those Sand Hill Cranes!) and fly!!!

(Friday morning: An added thought after sleeping on this overnight-Perhaps my "Angel of the Woods" was rather busy watching over our home during the storm...and she couldn't stay there in the woods any longer!...To that I say, "Thank you, "Angel of the Woods"...and especially I say Thank YOU, Heavenly Father--For I know it was really YOU all the time!)

Now, let's "fly" on over to Deb's place at Breathing in Grace and see what our other Friday Foto Friends have been up to this week!! God bless you, my friends!!





22 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos and reflection, Pamela. Yes, we don't understand why, at times like these, some folks suffer while others are spared, yet we know God has a purpose in it all and will work all things for good for those who place their hopes in Him.
    Blessings!

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    1. Amen! Thank you for your thoughts on this. I know you understand these things...as well as about those "sacred places" in our lives. Been thinking about you and wondering if you've made a decision yet regarding your next book! Still praying!!! God bless you my friend.

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    2. No decision yet, Pamela, but I will surely let you know. Hope to start back blogging this coming Friday.

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  2. You and I both know that when one window closes, another opens, and your 'angel' will reappear just when you need her/him. God never lets us down, we just need to wait on HIm. Have a nice weekend my friend.

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    1. Thank you, Linda. Yes, I definitely know that. The Lord has NEVER let us down, and He is faithful, never changing, always there for us no matter what. Sometimes we just have to look in a different place/direction to see His hand at work. Thank you for this reminder!! May your weekend be blessed. Praying for you as your prepare to bring your hubby home next week.

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  3. I Thank The Lord every day for His blessings and grace that all my family and friends made it through Irma. I heard from Elena who will start back to Deltona on the weekend. Her son will drive back with her as he doesn't want her to drive back alone from Texas as they don't know what they'll find. He'll fly back to Austin. Have a day of blessings my friend.

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    1. So glad that Elena was safe with her family, and that her son will come back with her. That is a real comfort. Praying she will find everything okay. Thank you for your prayers.

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  4. I am so glad you are safe and sound.
    I love the cloud reflections in the pond. How gorgeous. I am struck by how similar your area looks to mine. The only difference is in some of the wildlife and snow!
    Lovely photos and just thanking God for your safety.

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    1. I love that you love God's beautiful world just like me...we share that in common even though we are in different parts of the country...God is still there...and we are a part of His family together. Thank you for your kind words and thoughts today.

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  5. Thank you so much for writing this and all the photos. I am also thankful you are sharing Isaiah 40:27-31! I read this chapter so often!!!

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    1. Isn't it a comfort? I know I have quoted it here in my blog so often, but it is always appropriate for whatever the situation may be...because God's Word is always fresh and new every day. Thank you for your words today. God bless you.

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  6. "reflecting on the mercies of God and His power over the storms of our lives."

    Amen! A hail storm hit us a few weeks ago (tornado possibly nearby, a remnant of Harvey as it scraped up north) and, though we had some damage, we have so much to be thankful for. Don't feel guilty. Can you control the storm? ;-)

    I love the picture of the light in the forest! But when you said you lost something, you reminded me... When I was praying for you as Irma approached, I thought of your little secret garden being enlarged by the storm. Like maybe you'd be able to see farther and it would be more open for you to reach out and bring more in. I don't think you've lost anything!

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    1. Thank you Sandi, for your prayers for us throughout the storm. My Secret Garden is still perfectly intact...I think the "Angel of the Woods" resides there now...and yes, I will welcome more to share in that beautiful space. I love what you said "Don't feel guilty. Can you control the storm?" Thank you for putting that into perspective for me. I am not God...I don't have that power, but thankfully He watches over all, even in the midst of the storm when things seem so difficult...He is there. I am eternally grateful to the Lord...and continue to pray for those still in such great need.

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  7. I only lost a tree and part of my fence. I am safe and sound and feel blessed.

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    1. Praise God!!! Trees and fences can be replaced...but our lives cannot. So glad to know you are safe.

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  8. I love the pictures of the ponds. The picture from a couple of years ago is beautiful. I understand the sadness you felt when you saw the post-Irma scene of that site.Peace and Blessing to you and yours.

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    1. Thank you Cecelia. Our whole street looks like a war-zone of mangled trees in the woods...but God preserved our homes and lives...the trees can be replanted over time. I praise Him for His watchcare over us. Thank you for your prayers.

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  9. So happy that you all came through the storm okay!! God is good!

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  10. Oh, my Friend, what a beautiful post. I'm so grateful that my blogging friends who live in Florida all came through this terrible storm OK, with minimal damage. God truly is our Protector.

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  11. Pamela, so glad to see that all is well with you and your family. We had alot of debris clean up in my neck of the woods and we will make a tree surgeon's pocket a little thicker but I'm reminded during this storm that God uses the storms in our life to "clean house". To get all the loose debris that hangs around, weighs us down so once all the parasitic moss, deadwood and other debris is off and the clean up is done, more of His Sonshine can penetrate a dark and lonely world. And, "Yes, His angels had to take a break from the woods to watch homes and families." Blessings, Sister and as always thank you for sharing your "secret" places with us. I know that is a vulnerable place to be and I for one appreciate it.

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  12. Oh Pamela, so thankful that the Lord spared you the brunt of the storm, and protected you, even though your sweet little spot in the woods saw some damage. It is sad to see these trees go down. And to see so many having to completely rebuild and put their lives back together. We can't understand the ways of the Lord, but how thankful to know we can be safe in His care. With love and hugs to you today!

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  13. Pam, I'm sorry to be so late to read your post Irma reflections. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

    Blessings!

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