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, April 19, 2018

Lift Up Your Head! Revisted

Today, April 19, 2018, marks the 7th anniversary of the passing of my father from this life into heaven.  I was just thinking about him as I scrolled through some old blog posts, and came across this one, which brought tears to my eyes in a good way as I read about the loving act my father did for me many years ago when I needed it most.



Original Post 7/24/2014:
"But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head..." Psalm 3:3


Young Fawn at dawn in my neighborhood today

I was reading in the book "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young the devotional reading for today, July 27. Here is what it says:
"Hope is a golden cord connecting you to heaven.  This cord helps you hold your head up high, even when multiple trials are buffeting you.  I never leave your side, and I never let go of your hand.  But without the cord of hope, your head may slump and your feet may shuffle as you journey uphill with Me.  Hope lifts your perspective from your weary feet to the glorious view you can see from the high road.  You are reminded that the road we're traveling together is ultimately a highway to heaven.  When you consider this radiant destination, the roughness or smoothness of the road ahead becomes much less significant.  I am training you to hold in your heart a dual focus: My continual Presence and the hope of heaven."  



This reminded me of a time in my life when I was going through a very difficult time, and it was tempting to hang my head in despair and hide away from prying eyes and wagging tongues.  That year for Christmas my father surprised me with a special gift that I will never forget.  We had previously lived in the north country, where moose were a very BIG part of our lives. (pun intended).  If you were lucky, you might see a live moose walk through your yard occasionally (as we did).

(Picture from Internet)
 If you were not so lucky, you might NOT see a moose crossing the road in front of your car in the middle of the night...and then you'd be in BIG trouble.
Internet Photo
 That is why you would often see along side every road a sign that said: 

I had often mentioned to my my father, who was a retired hobby carpenter, that since I had moved back to Florida it would be such fun to have a "moose" in my yard again...meaning a wooden cut out of a moose.  He always said "maybe, sometime when he had time, he'd think about it..."   And then in that particular year some things had happened that brought sorrow and disappointment to our home, and having a moose in my yard was probably the last thing on my mind.  But apparently not on my sweet father's mind.  Imagine my surprise on Christmas when he led me out into his back yard with my eyes closed and standing there was the most delightful bull moose ever seen in the state of Florida!  It looked something like this:
Internet Photo



Actually there were two of them, which I don't have a picture of, but the other had its head lowered, and it was a gift for a friend of ours who was also from New England. But about the one standing tall and erect as above, my father said, "This one is for you, because I want you to always hold your head up high like this and be strong."  It brings tears to my eyes even now to remember that moment, and how loving and compassionate my Daddy was as he presented his gift to me that day. It was a gift of love and hope to me from my earthly father, but I believe it was also from my Heavenly Father. HE wanted me to know that I was not alone in my struggle...and that He was to me, as quoted above in Psalm 3:3 ~ 

"But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, 
My glory and the One who lifts up my head."

and then  
"I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill.
I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me all around."
Psalm 3:5-6

I wish I could say that all my troubles were magically over at that moment, but that was not the case. However, my attitude was changed...my hope was restored...and I was better able to hold my head high and move forward with renewed strength and courage, ready to face the future knowing that God was with me, sustaining me, and making my path straight.

And now, "It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect.  He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places..." Psalm 18:32-33 

Bye Bye little deer! You have cheered my heart today!

 How about you?  Have you ever felt like letting your head hang low and hiding away from your perceived "enemies"?  Take heart from these words today, and "LIFT UP YOUR HEAD!"


In loving memory of my dad, this is one of my favorite pictures of the two of us, taking a nap on a Sunday afternoon. Precious memories. 

William F. Mursch, 8/9/1918 ~ 4/19/2011


19 comments:

  1. Pam: Yes, I have. But then I found words from God that told me to "Choose Life." I was becoming ashamed of a circumstance in my life. When I read those words, I received the proverbial shot in the arm. I started choosing life affirming thoughts about my situation and that bad circumstance. It took a while but the circumstance left us.

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    1. Oftentimes we go through these times of testing and trial to help us learn to lean on the Lord and keep our eyes fixed on Him. When we fix our eyes on Him, the cares of this world tend to grow smaller and we become stronger. Thank you for your thoughts today. You are a blessing to me.

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  3. Pamela, your post are always encouraging to me! Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Sylvia, I know you are going through some difficult times these days. It is my prayer that God will lift up your head and give you the strength and faith to carry on. You and I both know that He will do just that. Be filled today with His love and peace. Thank you for stopping by. You are a blessing to me.

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  4. Pamela, thank you for stopping by my post this morning and leaving your sweet comment...I am praying for you, not knowing what your "right now" challenge may be...your post today was encouraging to me, also. I love Jesus Calling devotionals, especially the one you shared, and your photos are spectacular! Your description of the kindness of your Daddy reminded me of my own sweet Daddy, who said and did many kind things like your Daddy to help "lift my head." You also might like the book, Hinds' Feet on High Places, by Hannah Hurnard, which takes its title from Habakkuk 3:19, "The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places."

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    1. Dear Beth, I did not see your comment until today. Thank YOU for stopping by my post and sharing these thoughts. And especially I thank you for your prayers. Every day seems to bring new challenges...such is life for all of us on this planet I believe. But our heavenly Father watches over us, and He sends us messages through friends, nature, and His Word, to inspire and encourage and cheer us along the way. You are one of these for me today. Thank you again. Yes...the book Hinds' Feet...I know it...it is a wonderful book. Blessings to you today my friend.

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  5. I see someone beat me to the Hinds' Feet on High Places mention! :)

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    1. Yes...It was on my mind as well...it just didn't make it into the post. I may have another for tomorrow that could possibly mention that...I don't know yet...working on it now. See you tomorrow!

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  6. You and I were both thinking about God's promise to be a shield for us! What a precious photo of you and your Day, and a precious memory of his encouragement to you. A lovely tribute to him today.

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  7. What a beautiful post in tribute to your earthly father. Happy Birthday to him and may you feel the loving arms of God around you today as you remember your dear earthly papa who is now in Heaven. It does give comfort to know you will be reunited in time. Hugs. xx

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  8. Oh, Pam, what a special post. It brought tears to my eyes as I read about how your father made the moose for you and the specialness of his words to you that morning. I also love the picture of you and your dad. Such peace and contentment. You also favor your dad in your looks.

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  9. I'm glad you Dad helped you and glad you have those memories to lean on.
    It's important.Its a great post and the photo of you and your father is really nice.
    Yes, those moose are huge!
    Happy Friday

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  10. Such a sweet, precious story. Oh how I miss my Daddy, too. Love the story about the moose. And I just mentioned that scripture to my husband this week. I sometimes suffer depression and Jesus is certainly the Lifter of my head! 💜

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  11. Thanks! I read your touching memories and I learned a lot. The psalms, how I love the Psalms in your blog.

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  12. Absolutely priceless photo of you with your father, Pamela! Such a poignant reminder of how precious the gift of family is, and how we can always hold our heads up because of God's enduring love for us.
    Blessings!

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  13. Oh Pam, this is such a heartwarming post. Your daddy was a truly special man and the photo of the two of you is priceless. There's something special about the love of a daddy. Sigh...

    Blessings!

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  14. Pam: Thank you for the 'revisit.' From time to time, we need to be reminded to hold our head high in the face of difficulties. Peace and Blessings.

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  15. What a wonderful, dear post. That last picture just melts my heart. Blessings- xo Diana

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