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!

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Prayers in the Garden

Today has been one of those days...woke up not feeling quite up to par (I think it was something I ate yesterday), but then on top of that we had disturbing news that my husband's cousin Janice, who is a little younger than I, had a very much needed open heart surgery yesterday, but unfortunately she is not doing well at all. Right now we are not too sure that she is going to pull out of this. So please say a prayer for Janice if you will. Thank you.

Today was a day of resting and praying for Janice all throughout the day as the Lord continually brought her to mind.  This picture was taken last year on her birthday, with the pillow gift I made for her.  The front of the pillow was from a vintage embroidered table scarf, that came from some linens that belonged to her grandmother, and I assume was embroidered by her.  It is a picture of a young lady walking her poodle.  Janice used to have poodles, so this just seemed perfect for her, especially because it came from her own grandmother's things.

It was a lovely day today, and I was so thrilled to see that my climbing Don Juan rosebush had four beautiful roses blooming.  What a perfect place to set up a little tea table among the roses...

 Actually I went back inside to drink the tea as it was too warm to sit outside for very long.

I've been watching these roses opening up for the last couple of days...




 This morning there were raindrops on the roses...


I was wishing I could pick them and take them to Janice in the hospital, but she is in ICU and in extremely critical condition, so flowers would not be permitted.  Therefore I have enjoyed them all day with her in my mind and heart, and if roses could be sent by prayers and wishes, Janice could see them and smell them even in her current condition.

Earlier this morning, as the sun was just rising above the mist in the Secret Garden, I wandered around, talking with the Lord and lifting Janice up to Him in prayer...it was a beautiful time with the Lord...

God had truly blessed the morning with His glory... some late blooming wisteria blossoms are climbing over the fence...


The first crepe myrtle blossom has appeared...
 The Rose of Sharon is blooming again in the Memorial Garden...
 And this sweet little rain lily has lifted up its head in praise to our Creator...
It appears as though these dragonflies have bowed their heads and folded their gossamer wings in prayer...perhaps they, too, are saying a prayer...




Romans 8:18-22
18.  "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time 
are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19.  For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
20.  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, 
but because of Him who subjected it in hope;
21.  Because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now..."

Romans 8:28
"For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

We are not giving up hope for Janice, but we are entrusting her into the Lord's care. We know that He knows what is best for her, and if there is healing in His wings for her, then Praise the Lord!
And if her healing will be complete in being carried into His Presence by the angels, then we will still praise the Lord, for we know that He will do exactly what is best for Janice.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers on her behalf.


UPDATE:
June 28, 2018, 7:55 a.m., Janice passed into the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ. I'm sure she was welcomed into heaven by her parents, her husband Paul, and her son Quentin.  She will be greatly missed here on earth by her one granddaughter and many other loved ones and friends.  Thank you all for your prayers.

25 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you, Sandi. I appreciate your prayers. I apologize that I am way behind in my reading of other blogs...I hope to start getting caught up soon. I miss you all.

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  2. Pam, what a lovely tribute to Janice. Yes, God is in control and He will do what’s best for His child. Praying with you. I so enjoy your blogs, always so hopeful and positive and filled with the love of Jesus. Thank you💕

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    1. Thank you, Sheri. That truly means a lot to me. Thank you for your words of prayer and affirmation. Blessings to you today. You have blessed my day.

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  3. Pam: Please take comfort with these words you wrote:"And if her healing will be complete in being carried into His Presence by the angels, then we will still praise the Lord, for we know that He will do exactly what is best for Janice."

    One thing I learned several years ago is the God will do what is best for the injured or ill person. I have seen Him work this out for so many people. Their families miss them but the person is far better off than those of us left behind. Peace and Blessings.

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    1. Yes, you are so right that God will do what is best for an injured or ill person. When we trust in the Lord, we can fully rely on Him to do what is best regardless of what we may want. God knows best. And heaven is a real and wonderful place...where we are headed for eternity if we are in Christ Jesus.That is our ultimate healing and rest. So we are trusting the Lord to do what is right for our loved one, one way or the other. It's a win-win...

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  4. Praying for Janice that the Lord will bless her with a complete recovery!

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    1. Thank you, Carol. That is a our earnest prayer and hope as well.

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  5. I have added Janice to my prayer list, Pam. She will be lifted in prayer daily. Your garden is so beautiful and those roses are perfection! Take care of yourself now!! Get some rest when you can.

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    1. Thank you, Terri. Your prayers mean a lot. And those roses have been such a joy and blessing to me today. I truly do wish I could take them to Janice, but she would not be able to see them. I pray the Lord is comforting her even in that ICU room, and filling her spirit with pleasant fragrances of roses and beautiful visions in her mind as she sleeps and hopefully recovers. Thank you. I am headed to bed early tonight.

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  6. Keeping Janice in my prayers.

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    1. Thank you, Jan, for your prayers. Janice passed away this morning at 7:55 a.m., where I know she was welcomed by her Savior, and her family members who were waiting for her.

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  7. Asking the Lord Pam to place His healing hands upon Janice if it be in His Will. What better place to pray than in your secret garden. It is so lovely and oh yes, a cup of tea would be wonderful in your beautiful garden. Love all the pictures. Those roses....WOW! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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    1. Thank you, Cindy. Janice was called home to heaven this morning at 7:55 a.m., and welcomed there by her Savior Jesus Christ, and her husband, son, and parents, who were waiting. God saw fit to heal her completely.

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  8. Your garden is wonderful and the roses are beautiful. I will be keeping Janice in my prayers and hoping for her to get well.
    Please keep us posted as you hear about her condition.

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    1. Thank you, Annie. Janice was called home to heaven this morning at 7:55 a.m., and now she is completely well. Thank you for your prayers. She was met there by her parents, her husband, and her son, and will be missed here on earth my many loved ones and friends. But she is now completely healed.

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  9. Oh, dear, Pamela, I just read above that God has called Janice home. I'm so sorry for your loss, but with you, I'll rejoice that she is in the arms of a loving Savior. May God's love and peace surround you at this time, my friend.

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    1. Thank you, Martha. So thankful for the blessing of heaven that we who belong to Jesus may call our home. It is so good to know that our cousin Janice is no longer suffering...she is completely healed and resting in eternal peace. Praise God.

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  10. Oh, Pam, your post is so touching. I'm so sorry for your loss. Janice was a special person and always will be; I rejoice knowing where she is and all the beauty she's enjoying. Heaven, the place where we'll all be perfectly healed! How are you feeling?

    Love and blessings!

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    1. Thank you, Kim. I am finally feeling better today. The last couple of days were rough, but God is good. I am rejoicing for Janice that she is no longer suffering. She had a rough time these last months especially. Yes, heaven is a place of eternal healing. So wonderful to know!!!

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  11. Sorry to learn of Janice's passing. Please pass on my condolences to John. I've been out of the loop a bit lately. The garden looks lovely! Glad you are feeling better too.

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    1. Thank you, Becky. I will definitely tell John also. Thank you for popping in for a visit here. Looking forward to seeing you in a month!!

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  12. On this Saturday morning, I am reading through my email notifications backwards, so I know how things went with Cousin Janice. This is such a beautiful post, a lovely sharing of God's creation. I am sorry for your loss but rejoice with you that she is with our Lord now.

    Thank you, too, for labeling the names of the flowers. I did not know what Wisteria looks like up close, and I was making a guess as to the Crepe Myrtles we see all over town. You are educating this Westerner in the South's flora and fauna!

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  13. Pamela~ this prayer tribute to your dear Janice blessed my heart, but it also brought tears to my eyes. I'm behind with visits and I trust Janice is doing well?
    I was reminded of my own mom and the critical condition she was in and there were so many prayers on her behalf. May God hear the many prayers that are being poured out for your dear loved one.
    Your pillow is darling! I'm sure she has cherished it over this past year.

    God bless you~

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  14. Such a beautiful and poignant post dear Pamela. I understand what you have experienced and am so grateful that we can go to the Lord in prayer for such things that grieve our spirits. I know Janice is now reaping her eternal reward. God bless you and your family as you process her loss (and her gain). Much love. xx

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