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, February 10, 2017

The Secret Garden Chronicles Day 18 "Held In His Mighty Arms"

It is hard to believe that I missed the last three days of actually coming into and sitting in the Secret Garden...but each day presented different circumstances, and also different ways and reasons to praise the Lord in various places.  I am so thankful for the way the Lord had prepared me spiritually for those days...as well as in giving me the "rest" necessary to be able to withstand all of the activities and emotional turmoil involved.

In reading back over the past few days in Sarah Young's marvelous devotional book, "Jesus Calling",  I was amazed at how many times Jesus was "calling" us to

"Seek My face and you will find not only My Presence but also My Peace" (February 5th), 

"Come to Me and REST.  I AM all around you, to bless and restore!" (February 6th)

"Come to Me for REST and Refreshment" (February 7th)

"I AM above all things; 
your problems, your pain, 
and the swirling events in this everchanging world." (February 8th)

"Seek MY face more and more"; and also "TRUST ME and don't be afraid, 
for I AM your strength and song!"  (February 9th)

Wow!  When I was following the ambulance with my hubby inside on this same day (9th), I was singing, "Jesus, Jesus, How I TRUST You."  And He truly WAS my strength and my song!! 

Today, February 10th, says, "Trust Me enough to spend ample time with Me, pushing back the demands of the day..."  and that is where I am right now, Lord, sitting here in the Secret Garden with You..."pushing back the demands of the day", and also, as the next line reads, I "refuse to feel guilty about something that is so pleasing to" YOU, "The King of the Universe!"

Yes, I could be inside the house, cleaning up from several days' neglect due to all the activities.  But Lord, You know how much I crave this time alone with You!  I truly believe that I will be better equipped to tackle whatever "needs" to be done inside if I spend this time here, outside, with You!
My spirit, mind, and body needs to be refreshed, revived, and restored back into a right fellowship and rhythm with You at the center of My being...blocking out all of the distractions and concerns of the past few days, even though most were very pleasant distractions indeed, but some were not so pleasant, and my heart and mind have been rather disturbed over the sudden illness of my hubby.  Even though it turned out all right for now, we realize there is the possibility of future such "episodes" if things are not attended to and properly corrected.  And that leaves me with an uneasy feeling and a kind of insecurity in my mind that I don't like!


Isaiah 12:2-6 reminds me again to trust in God, and not be afraid:

2."Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid;
For YAH, the Lord, is my strength and song;
He has also become my salvation."

3.  "Therefore with JOY
you will draw water from 
the wells of salvation.

4.  And in that day you will say:
Praise the Lord.
Call upon His name,
Declare His deeds among the peoples,
make mention that His name is exalted.

5.  Sing to the Lord,
For He has done excellent things;
This is known in all the earth.

6.  Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion,
For great is the Holy One of
Israel in your midst."

Yes, Lord, I will continue to TRUST in YOU no matter what the future may hold, because I know that YOU hold my future in Your hands.  Therefore, I do not need to be afraid!

I was looking through my hymnal for another song, and came across this one that is even better:

(sung by Christine Wyrtzen in the link above)

"Safe is my refuge,
sweet is my rest;
Ill cannot harm me,
nor foes e'er molest.
Jesus my spirit so tenderly calms,
Holding me close in His mighty arms!


Oh, what wonderful, wonderful rest!
Trusting completely in Jesus I'm blest;
Sweetly He comforts and shields from alarms;
Holding me safe in His mighty arms."


Yes, Thank You, Jesus, for holding me safe in Your mighty arms!!  When I am held close in Your arms I need not fear or be alarmed about anything.  I can rest peacefully in my safe refuge...Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.  Praise God!!!  Amen.

P.S:  I can't believe I forgot that today is FRIDAY FOTO FRIENDS DAy!!!   That just shows you how discombobulated I have been this week!!  So, friends, I will repost this as my Friday Foto Friends post for today.  Sorry I am late to the gathering!!  Click HERE for other great posts from my friends today.

9 comments:

  1. You have such a "Mary" heart tending to the things most important. So glad your hubby is still doing well. I understand the uneasiness you must be feeling. Prayers you can continue to trust. And.... Love those cardinal fotos. 😊 Hope you have a great weekend!

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    1. Thank you Debbie! I'm so glad I remembered in time to add to the group today. It is always one of the week's highlights to share in this group with such sweet ladies!! Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. You are a blessing!!!

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  2. Hello dear Pamela~I'v missed a few of your posts here in the garden with you.
    Just reading your words of blessing in the circumstances you are facing is encouragement to my own soul. The Lord has certainly blessed your heart through your devotional. He is faithful!
    Sorry to hear that your husband is not well.

    Have a blessed weekend ♡

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  4. So happy for you being able to return to your garden for the rest and inspiration you need from the Lord, Pam. Yes, when we are held in His mighty arms, we need never be afraid.
    Blessings!

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  5. How we do miss those precious times with the Lord, yet how wonderful to know his hand was with you throughout that difficult ordeal! Isn't it wonderful to know we are safe in HIS care! Wonderful thoughts today, praying for you, that the Lord continues to bless and encourage your heart!

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  6. You have been through a lot this past week, Pam. When our husbands health fails it is like our balance is out of whack, in a manner of speaking. I think especially in something like your husband experienced this week and knowing that there is always that possibility of another TIA happening. It is that not knowing when or if that would get to me. I am so thankful that you are able to rest in the strength of the Lord...in those Everlasting arms of His. No safer place than that.

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  7. After all the events in your life it was great to have you back in your/God's garden. Thanks for sharing this lovely post and testimony of God's presence in your life. It is certainly a blessing for others.

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  8. Pam, Like the others, I'm glad that you were able to return to your secret garden. After the whirlwind of activity, I'm sure the quiet, downtime was a balm to your spirit.

    Blessings!

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