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!

Monday, August 30, 2021

Monday Praise

 Yesterday's sermon by our Pastor about prayer was right on...from Luke 11:1-13.  I think you will enjoy it...but first you'll have to listen to the Praise Team singing "We'll Soon Be Done with Troubles and Trials"


"Some of these days I'm going home where no sorrows ever come,
We'll soon be done with troubles and trials.
Safe from heartache pain and care we shall all that glory share.
Then I'm gonna sit down beside my Jesus, sit down and rest a little while

We'll soon be done with troubles and trials
Yes in that home on the other side
Shake glad hands with the elders, tell my kindred good morning
Sit down beside my Jesus, sit down and rest a little while.

I shall behold His blessed face, I shall feel His matchless grace
We'll soon be done with troubles and trials
Oh what peace and joy sublime in that home of love divine.
Then I'm gonna sit down beside my Jesus, sit down and rest a little while

We'll soon be done with troubles and trials
Yes in that home on the other side
Shake glad hands with the elders, tell my kindred good morning
Sit down beside my Jesus, sit down and rest a little while

We'll soon be done with troubles and trials
Yes in that home on the other side
Shake glad hands with the elders, tell my kindred good morning
Sit down beside my Jesus, Sit down beside my Jesus
Sit down beside my Jesus, and rest a little while
Sit down and rest a little while, little while.

The part that struck me most about the Luke 11 passage was this:

Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking

9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 
10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 
12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 
13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

I have not been on Blogger much this past week, and only a few of you know the reason why. But I feel thankful and blessed so much right now that I want to share with you what has been going on.  
Our Son Benton and his wife Rose (picture taken last fall).

Saturday was our oldest son's 50th birthday! We had planned to have a wonderful family celebration for him on Friday because of their scheduling, etc.,  and family and friends were to come from quite a distance to honor his birthday.  Well, last Sunday our sweet Rose developed a fever and started having a cough and sinus issues. Yes, she tested positive for Covid. The next day Benton came down with the same symptoms, and therefore of course they had to close their business and stay home all week. Needless to say, the birthday party was cancelled until further notice. Thankfully my hubby and I had not been with them for over a week prior to when they got sick, and of course we have stayed away from them all week. We have, however, been cooking some meals, picking up groceries, etc., and delivering them to their front door. Of course they didn't open the door until we were way out of the way.

So, those verses our Pastor preached upon yesterday really hit home with me.  If a son asks for bread, would you give him a stone...or if he asks for a fish, would you give him a serpent? Or if he asks for an egg, would you give him a scorpion?    I am sure you would all agree with me in responding "Of course not!"  We would do anything within our power to help our kids and relieve their suffering in any way possible.  If we could take their pain away and take it ourselves, we would.  But thankfully God has not asked us to do exactly that.  What He does ask us to do is Ask, Seek, and Knock...."A.S.K."  Ask God and it will be opened to you...Seek God and you will find...Knock on the door of God's heart, and it will be opened to you.  

That is what we've been doing this week...asking, seeking, and knocking...praying for healing for our kids.  It's been a rough week for them...and last night Benton was very concerned for Rose as she just didn't seem to be getting better. He was planning to take her to the hospital today if she wasn't significantly improved.  (BTW, when you test positive for Covid, they just send you home to fend for yourselves.  They had to call their doctor, and she told them what OTC medicines to take...no prescriptions were given or offered...just fight your way through this, and if you can't breathe, go to the emergency room, which is full, and our hospital is full, etc., etc.)  So when I heard that, my "asking, seeking, knocking" on heaven's door was turned up a notch.  I spent a rather restless night, and every time I couldn't sleep, I was praying for Rose to be better today.  Of course I prayed for Benton too, but he seemed to be getting stronger while she was not.  

So you can imagine my joy and elation and thankfulness when I called them this morning and Rose actually answered the phone, and she almost sounded like her "old self".  Still sounds like someone with a bad cold, but she sounded stronger, and she even giggled when I told her how happy I was to hear her voice this morning.  My heart is overflowing with thanksgiving and praise.  God heard my prayers and I do believe He has answered them.  I do believe they will continue to regain strength from here on out.

"In my distress I called upon the Lord,
And cried out to my God;
He heard my voice from His temple,
And my cry came before Him, even to His ears."
Psalm 18:6

For those of you who knew about this, I want to thank you for your prayers on their behalf.  And for those who are just now learning of this, prayers are still needed.  They still have a ways to go before they are ready to get back to work. They have a business to run, and everyday they are closed they are losing money.  Thankfully they had two women they know who are vendors in their store, and they volunteered to open the store on Friday and Saturday so they could hopefully make some sales.  And praise God, they made enough on those two days to actually cover what they probably would have made if they had been open all week!  God is so good.  This week is another issue, but again, I believe God is going to take care of them. He knows their needs and He knows exactly how to provide whatever they need.  Our God is an awesome God, and we are blessed and so very very thankful.

Thank you for taking the time to read all of this.  You are all a blessing to me. 



15 comments:

  1. I always enjoy your blog and have never commented but I will add your family to my prayer list. My prayer too will be that infectious will be prescribed after a positive test. It has proven to be very effective when prescribed. I live in Florida and will someday visit their shop,God bless you all.

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  2. I always enjoy your blog and have never commented but I will add your family to my prayer list. My prayer too will be that infectious will be prescribed after a positive test. It has proven to be very effective when prescribed. I live in Florida and will someday visit their shop,God bless you all.

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  3. Oh Pam, I'm so sorry to hear of Benton and Rose's experience ... particularly on what should have been a fabulous birthday celebration. #50's not one he's ever likely to forget. Of course, I'm lifting them (and you) in my prayers Right Now.

    I'm thinking there are several of us right now looking for direction, for answers. Maybe I'm not asking the right questions, I'm not listening hard enough? Nevertheless, I'll keep knocking. Thank you for blessing me with this song, and please for travel mercies. Amid severe weather watches, we're off to Birmingham shortly to meet with Tom's eye surgeon. Hugs!

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  4. Dear Pam, what wonderful news to hear....they are getting better. I will pray for full healing. Oh girl...it's very frightening. Never been that sick in my life and pray I never am again. You know my story as I shared it with my blogging friends. God is a good, good Father. But one thing I know...He's the same God in the valley that He is on the mountaintop. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  5. Pam: So glad to hear that Benton and Rose are on the mend. It is scary that they couldn't get anything but OTC medication. I will add them to my prayer list. Glad to hear that you could help them by bringing them what they need. Neat how God worked out their dilemma with their store last week. Peace and blessings to you.

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  6. Hooray! This is the best news I've had in days, Pamela! God is so very good, and He certainly does listen to our prayers. May Rose and Benton improve with each passing day.
    Blessings!

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  7. Glad she is feeling better!

    🌸

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  8. Our sermon on Sunday was good too. Meant to share that on FB but forgot.
    I am so happy that Benton and Rose are better. God answers prayer! I was just going to ask about them. We worked our way through it at home too. Did OK except for coughing my lungs out for about a month and a half. *lol* No problem.
    Love & Blessings. xx

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  9. I am so happy to read this news, Pam. Prayers lifted and will continue. Praise God for the two women who were able to staff the store over the weekend! Thanks for good news and the glad news!! xo

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  10. We most certainly appreciate the update on Benton and Rose. It's good news that they appear to have taken a turn for the better. We'll continue to pray for their complete recovery.

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  11. I’m so sorry that you and they have to go through this. May that regain full health quickly.

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  12. I am so glad your son and daughter in law are healing; how truly worrisome for you, the mom. I am praying for full healing for both of them. The church service spoke directly to your situation and needs, as the services always seem to do for me too.

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  13. I am glad to hear your kids are getting better! My son lost a week of work but got most of his pay. No one else in the family got sick. Praying they make a complete recovery!

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  14. Keeping in prayer, Pam. smiles

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  15. So many prayers for the kids and you too. So grateful I stopped in tonight. Sweet dreams my friend.

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