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, January 13, 2021

Wednesday Treasures: "An Island of Calm"

Good Wednesday Morning!

What started out as a typical Wednesday morning, hunting for "treasures" to share with you, as is the norm for many of my blog posts, one thought led to another, and it ended up being something totally different than what I thought or planned.  

In removing all of the Christmas decorations, I started looking around for something different to fill the blank spaces until the next holiday, and of course Tea Time is always a background theme for my home.

So here above we have a couple of my favorite dolls, Valerie and Anne of Green Gables, sitting down for a little tea party. I've had Anne of Green Gables tea parties before:

"A Kindred Spirit"Pamela's Victorian Cottage Has a Very Special VisitorDiana Is Invited to TeaA Merry Heart is Good Medicineto name a few...

but this tea party took a different turn. As I picked up the book that you see on the table above, 
"If Teacups Could Talk", by Emilie Barnes and paintings by Sandy Lynam Clough,
I turned to the page below and the story entitled,
"Fill Me with Serenity...Islands of Calm in an Ocean of Chaos"


Wow! Did that ever speak  to me with all that is going on in our country today! Who doesn't long for an "Island of Calm" in the midst of all this chaos around us these days?


(painting by Sandy Lynam Clough)

The story goes on to talk about how you could always "grab a quick cup of tea", or "heat a mug of water in the microwave" and "plunk in your teabag or stir in some spiced-tea mix and carry the whole thing back to your desk to gulp while you work."  But the author goes on to say that if you do that "you'll miss one of tea's most beautiful benefits...the blessing of slowing down to enjoy it."  You will miss the "opportunity to stake out an island of calm serenity in the chaotic ocean of daily life." (Emilie Barnes, "If Teacups Could Talk", page 11)

So I began to think about this...

And as I looked around my home "office space" (office sounds so stark and busy and unfriendly...I need to think of another name for this space where I create and enjoy looking out at Still Waters Pond while I write to you... maybe you can help me come up with a better name)
(I just took this picture as I was writing to you...this is "hot off the press!")

And as I looked around my little room I noticed this picture hanging on the wall that I have had forever. It was a greeting card from someone that I liked so much I framed it and hung it on the wall...

My own little "Island of Calm"

and here below is what I felt led to create for us just now to bring this thought even closer together:


And this became my prayer as I thought more about this today:

"The Serenity Prayer"

But then I wondered, where in the Bible could I find some words of serenity and peace and understanding in the midst of the chaos of our world's current events?  And the 37th Psalm seemed to fit the overarching need of my heart today...and perhaps yours as well.  I recommend reading the whole 40 verses, but I have only included the first 11 for you here today:

Psalm 37:1-11 
1 Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off;
But those who wait on the Lord,
They shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth,
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Can you see the theme of "The Serenity Prayer" in this Psalm?   I do...I see Serenity, Courage, and Wisdom throughout these words of King David.  The Serenity Prayer is a wonderful way to sum it all up, but getting into the meat of God's Word is what truly gives us peace (Serenity), courage, and wisdom.  

So that is where my "Wednesday Treasures" hunt led me today. I hope you are able to find an "Island of Calm" in this chaotic world today.  Perhaps a cup of tea would help, but spending time in meditating on God's Word provides the best results.   

May your day be filled with Serenity, Courage, and Wisdom...

28 comments:

  1. I loveeeeeeeeee your home, Pamela. And you know, I loveeeeeeeeeee this sign, always have, smiles. Have a beautiful day friend.

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    1. Oh Linda, I "loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" your enthusiasm!! You always make me smile when you "loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" something you see here! That makes my day!!I hope you are having a beautiful day as well, dear friend!!

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  2. Oh, how I needed to experience this island of calm today, Pamela. Just viewing the objects, prayers and scripture you've shared here fills me with peace. Thank you, my friend, for sharing your uplifting thoughts with us.
    Blessings!

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    1. Oh, thank you so much Martha! That gives me such joy to know that sharing this little "island of calm" has been a blessing to you...as it was to me in writing it. I felt the Lord guiding my thoughts and fingers as I wrote and the Holy Spirit brought it all together for our edification and comfort. All praise be to God, Who knows what we need!!

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  3. Dear Pamela, I can't even begin to count how many times I've prayed the Serenity Prayer. We've had so many issues with our son over the years, that prayer is implanted in my heart and soul. Love your tea setting, the little hot pad (Time For Tea) is precious, did you make it? Hope you're having a very blessed and happy day.

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    1. Oh, my dear Mary...I can understand what you are saying...I have three sons, and they all have in their own caused me to do a LOT of praying for serenity, courage, and especially wisdom. I guess it comes with parenthood. (((hugs))) The little "Time for Tea" is actually a tiny pillow, and no, I didn't make it. I am thinking my sister gave it to me some time ago, and I love it. Yes, I am having a wonderful day...just got back from our church ladies' "UMW" meeting/fellowship. It was wonderful to be with women who love the Lord and love each other too. Very very thankful. I hope you are having a blessed and happy day too. I always love to hear from you.

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  4. I think I would like to watch the Anne of GG movies again. They really are delightful and so are your dolls! It's a good time to enjoy the things that bring us joy. I had an extra cup of coffee this morning which was nice. Enjoy your day! Maybe that sun will peek out later! Hugs!

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    1. Oh, I would too...the original ones, not the newer version. It would be such fun to have an "Anne of Green Gables" tea party with friends again and watch the series together. A cloudy, chilly day like today would be perfect. I don't have that series in my "library", but maybe I can find it online somehow, because now I want to watch it again. Thank you for this great idea!!

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  5. "office sounds so stark and busy and unfriendly..."

    How about nook?

    Thank you for this post. It is a calming cup of tea!

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    1. I like "nook" better than office...yes, it sounds more cozy and welcoming somehow. I guess I am thinking of an "inglenook", but that would require a fireplace...however a "nook" is a "small space turned into a cozy spot...that would fit!! I may have to write about that as this has stirred up other thoughts...thank you. Somehow you always have the "right words"!

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  6. I love your tea party your dolls are having. They look so sweet. I really like your pillow in the rocker. It says all the words we all need right now. Peace and blessings.

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    1. Thank you, Cecelia. I sometimes envy my dolls...they can sit and have tea parties all day long without a care in the world. They are oblivious to all of the chaos around us these days. I find myself retreating more and more from the world and living where there is peace and calm and no stress (until I see the news or read something that is happening). I love that pillow also. Our friend, who is our DIL's sister, made that for me for Christmas. I love it. Yes, it says it all, and I love having those reminders surrounding me. Peace and blessings to you and your family as well.

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  7. Like Martha Jane has written, the 'fretter' in me hungers for these words. Better I hang up my sword and pour a cup of tea. To be honest, I've not found a tea (that) I enjoy ... perhaps because my coffee is an intense dark roast and I've not found any tea strong enough. Have you any recommendations?
    I agree, 'office' sounds terribly business-like. How about Pam's nest?

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    1. "Pam's nest"...hmmm, that's a nice thought too. I'll have to think about that one. Thank you. As for tea, to be honest, I love plain old Lipton tea most of all for my everyday tea and what I make our iced tea with as well. But I have so many different kinds of teas...I love "Constant Comment" by Bigelow...it is spicy and has a bit of orange in it as well. Then there is Earl Grey and Lady Grey, Darjeeling...to name a few of my favorites. They are a bit stronger. I have some herbal teas, but they are not my go-to teas very often. I don't drink coffee at all, so I don't get a lot of caffeine except from what I get in a cup of tea. You would just have to sample a few teas at a time other than when you normally drink coffee. Sounds like you need the caffeine in the morning. Tea time should be more for relaxation and pleasure. At least that's my opinion! Have a blessed and non-fretting kind of day/week. Stay away from the news!

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    2. Sandi, is that a real thing? Never heard of it!

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  8. This was such a lovely post, Pam. I always enjoy seeing your treasures, but today I especially enjoyed your "Island of Calm." I am trying to get away from the chaos of life's storms and every little oasis helps. :)

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    1. Thank you, Stacy. I am so glad you enjoyed being here on "the island of calm" with me for a little while. I am trying to spend more and more time here and away from the fray. Just can't handle what's going on at all, so it's best I "retreat" and pray. That's where the real "business" takes place.

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  9. love this post!!! the dolls are so beautiful, I have a collection of dolls as well but in this tiny place no room to display them where they will not get broken. thank you for the Serenity prayer (HUGS)))

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    1. Thank you, (I don't know your name!) Since we moved to this house last year I have not had a good place to display all of my dolls at once, so I have been rotating them seasonally a few at a time so I can enjoy them for a while and then put them away and bring out some others. One or two at a time isn't too much to handle. I would love to see your dolls...maybe you could bring out one at a time and share it with us. I thought about giving away some of my dolls when we moved, and I did give away three to some sweet young girls who loved them, but I find that each one that I have has a story attached to it, and I still enjoy seeing them from time to time, so that is my way of dealing with it. I am glad you enjoyed the Serenity Prayer today. I think we all were needing some "serenity now"....

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  10. You have such a charming space in which to create and enjoy the view. I love that you are surrounded by favorite and lovely things to enjoy and share with visitors, both in person and online, I enjoy a cup of tea or coffee near dusk each day, after dinner is served and cleaned up. As the days get longer I will enjoy sitting outdoors and watching the sunset behind the mountain. The Serenity Prayer was mother’s favorite and always reminds me of her. Thank you for sharing the Bible verses too. You could call your “office” a sweet retreat. I gave John our living room with the big window looking out at Currahee Mtn but I have a comfy chair by my bedroom window overlooking a small flower garden (in spring and summer). I have plants that encourage hummingbirds to visit and it is peaceful. I wish you a blessed evening.

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    1. I am glad that you have a special spot overlooking a flower garden where you can enjoy watching the birds. We all need those special places that can become our little "Island of Calm" in the midst of the chaos of this world. I love also that you have a special place to watch the sunset behind the mountain. That should give you a real sense of peace at the end of the day. Thinking about you and John this week. Will be praying for you both. Take care my friend.

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  11. Beautiful post. A cup of tea while reading God's Word sounds like a good way to satisfy the soul and body.

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    1. Thank you, Ruth. Yes, it is a way to find some peace and calm in the midst of our busy and turbulent times right now. Meditating on God's Word is always the best way to find "serenity". And the tea just adds to the moment...

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  12. Island of Calm is a great name for your office space! We all need something like that! You have so many wonderful treasures, Pam. I enjoy your sharing posts!! xo

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    1. Thank you, Terri. Maybe that is what I will call it..."Island of Calm". That's a nice idea, and certainly something needed right now...I do enjoy sitting here and reading and writing, but I find that when I really need some "calm" I like to go outside and sit down on the bench near the pond and watch the birds. It's been too cold lately to do that very often, but I think I am overdue. Kind of like when you go to the farm...I know you find that peaceful and relaxing too. Looking forward to seeing your pictures this week!! Have a blessed rest of your week. I love hearing about your activities with your neighbors and friends. That is truly a treasure as well...

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  13. The Island of Calm is very fitting. Pretty place. Blue is a calming color too.
    I know one thing that helps me feel calm is when the house is clean, the laundry's done, the lauder is full, etc. We super cleaned the place yesterday, including steam cleaning the rugs, and boy does it all smell sweet now. That makes me very happy.
    Blessings. xx

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  14. Thank you, Sparky! Just wondering, do you hire yourself out for cleaning? LOL. You make me want to start spring cleaning...especially do something about the rugs, which I'd prefer to remove and put down new vinyl plank flooring...but yes, I totally agree with you about that clean feeling. Just getting all of the Christmas stuff put away helps a lot as I begin to bring out more springy looking things, even though it's cold today. I am ready for spring!! I think we are in need of some positive change right now from what we've been enduring these past weeks...a breath of fresh air would be nice. Praying for calm in the midst of the chaos. Thank you for visiting and breathing some fresh air into my sails here!!

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Thank you for visiting here today. I would love for you to sign my guestbook and let me know you stopped by. I always enjoy reading your comments and words of encouragement! May you be blessed as you go on your way. Please come back and visit again soon.