I Am Not Alone - Revisited Again

Here it is a Wednesday, the middle of the week, and I honestly had nothing new to share with  you. Then I was reading a few of our friends' posts, and there was more than one mention of  "being alone", or "feeling alone", and I thought to myself, "I wonder how many others are out there with feelings of loneliness or who are currently going through a difficult time and feeling like they are alone in their struggles."  I have a feeling there are more than just a few.  We all go through those times, when we are literally alone, or when we may feel alone even though there may be many people around.  We may feel like we don't belong, or that no one really cares whether I live or die. My friend, if you find yourself having these kinds of feelings, first of all, please don't isolate yourself completely. Reach out to someone...even if it's someone here in blogland. We may not be physically close, but we are close in spirit and heart, and there are many here who will be more than happy to pray with you, listen to your fears or concerns, and may even have some words of wisdom and encouragement to share with you. But most of all, reach out to God and tell Him about your concerns and pain. It is amazing how much prayer helps when we take our needs to the Lord and leave them there. I have included many scripture verses in this post of hope and faith and promise and how much God cares for you. Please take the time to read through this and perhaps even save the verses for future reference. You personally may not feel the need for this right now, but there may come a time when you will...or you may know someone who needs to hear this message...so please share it.  And may you know beyond a doubt that you are not alone, because The Father is with you.

Previously posted on 4/9/2020, during the "pandemic":  Sharing this post again...perhaps there is someone out there who needs to hear this message today, especially during this time of "social distancing" and isolation.

May you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are not alone..."the Father is with me"...

"And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me."

John 16:32b

The above drawing used to hang in my husband's study when he was serving as a pastor.  I drew this for him years ago after seeing this same picture on a card that someone had sent to us...so I can't take full credit for the idea...but it struck me so strongly that I had to duplicate it for a constant reminder that God would be with him through all the difficult days and times of searching for answers from God's Word to share with God's people.

Perhaps there is someone reading this today who needs to be reminded that you are not alone...because the Father IS with you...always!  How do we know this?  Because His Word promises...and God never goes back on His Word:

"Be strong and of good courage,

Do not fear nor be afraid of them;

For the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you.

He will not leave you nor forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6

"And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you.

He will be with you,

He will not leave you nor forsake you;

Do not fear nor be dismayed."

Deuteronomy 31:8

"Fear not, for I AM with you;

Be not dismayed, for I Am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

"Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your Presence?

If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell,

behold, You are there.

If I take the wings of the morning,

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there Your hand shall lead me,

and Your right hand shall hold me.

If I say, 'Surely the darkness shall fall on me,'

Even the night shall be light about me;"

Psalm 139:7-11

Jesus tells His disciples the following promise just before His departure from this earth into heaven...which is for all of us who bear His Name:

"Lo, I Am with you ALWAYS, even to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:20

Also Jesus promises to send us a helper...a comforter:

"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, 

that he may abide with you forever..

the Spirit of truth,

whom the world cannot receive, 

because it neither sees Him nor knows Him;

but you know Him,

for He dwells with you and will be in you.

I will not leave you orphans; 

I will come to you..."

John 14:16-18

So, my friends, if you are feeling all alone in your battle with grief, disease, disappointments, tragedies and anxieties...if you cannot feel Christ's Presence in your life, I encourage you to claim these promises above for yourself today.  Rest in His loving arms, knowing that He is with you and will never leave you or forsake you.

There is a song that came to my mind while writing this that I would like to share with you...perhaps you've heard it...or maybe it will be new to you.  Click on this link to the song "Just Be Held" by Casting Crowns.    

Here are the lyrics:

"Just Be Held"  by Casting Crowns

Hold it all together
Everybody needs you strong
But life hits you out of nowhere
And barely leaves you holding on

And when you're tired of fighting
Chained by your control
There's freedom in surrender
Lay it down and let it go

So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held

If your eyes are on the storm
You'll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the cross
You'll know I always have and I always will

And not a tear is wasted
In time, you'll understand
I'm painting beauty with the ashes
Your life is in My hands

So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your worlds not falling apart, its falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held

Lift your hands, lift your eyes
In the storm is where you'll find Me
And where you are, I'll hold your heart
I'll hold your heart
Come to Me, find your rest
In the arms of the God who won't let go

So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your worlds not falling apart, its falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held (stop holding on and just be held)
Just be held, just be held, just be held, just be held

So, no matter what you are going through right now, my prayer for you is that you will remember that you are never alone...God is with you always...and now, lay back into His loving arms and "Just Be Held".

"Peace I leave with you,

My peace I give to you;

not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid..."

Words of Jesus, 

The Gospel of John 14:27

Friday Foto Friends...Chia Pets, Anyone?

Who remembers these? Or maybe you have one or have had one? I never have had one...

but now...

When I went to see the Dr. the other day he told me to start eating Chia Seeds. He said they would be good for what ails me.  In moderation, of course...sprinkled on yogurt or cereal or pudding or in a smoothie.  But all I could think of was would I turn into one of these?

Or any of these?

Has anyone else had any experience with eating chia seeds?  Did you suddenly sprout green hair? Frankly, I am a bit concerned...

Maybe some of you could join me and we could become the "Golden Girls Chia Pets"

LOL.

Just a little silly humor today.  Seriously, if you have had any experience with eating Chia Seeds, I'd love to hear your ideas and thoughts and recipes.  I'm not really into this whole eating seeds kind of thing, but if it helps keep things running like clockwork, it might be worth it.

Meanwhile, before I start sprouting green hair, let's get serious. 

There's really nothing new to report. The baby bluebirds are still apparently in the birdhouse. They just aren't quite ready yet to make their debut into the big world beyond. Can't say as I blame them. There are times when we all would rather not venture out into the big world beyond our doorsteps. 

On the other hand, the Sand Hill Crane Family seems to have left the "nest" again, off wandering around the countryside. I believe "Colt" is now able to fly, so perhaps they are letting him test his wings a bit.

Here are some selected verses from Psalm 27 that are comforting when we find ourselves becoming fearful in the face of so many foes out there in the world:

Psalm 27:1-3, 11-14

"1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the strength of my life;

Of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked came against me

To eat up my flesh,

My enemies and foes,

They stumbled and fell.

3 Though an army may encamp against me,

My heart shall not fear;

Though war may rise against me,

In this I will be confident."

"11 Teach me Your way, O Lord,

And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.

12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;

For false witnesses have risen against me,

And such as breathe out violence.

13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed

That I would see the goodness of the Lord

In the land of the living.

14 Wait on the Lord;

Be of good courage,

And He shall strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the Lord!"

Verse 14 in particular has always been a favorite of mine.  Oftentimes we get anxious and fearful of all the "what-ifs" in life. We try to fight our battles in our own strength, and we get hurt or very frustrated to say the least.  But when we "wait on the Lord", He will strengthen our hearts and give us the courage we need to face any enemy, whether real or imagined. These are good things to remember when we are up against the struggles of life.  Wait on the Lord...have courage...He WILL strengthen your heart and give you peace!! Amen.

Now, back to watching for those green hairs to start sprouting...LOL.  Have a blessed and peaceful day my friends.

"Floods of Joy o'er My Soul..."

Happy Sunday everyone!! I hope that you have been having a beautifully blessed day so far! It is a lovely day here in our neck of the woods...sun shining, nice breeze, only 84 degrees, but it's going down to 66 tonight and the rest of the week looks like it will continue in a cooler trend, so that makes me happy!

I know most of you have your own churches that you attend either in person or online, but I do hope you don't mind me sharing our pastor's weekly message and our praise team's song with you. Certainly if you aren't interested you are free to skip over this, but I continue to share it because it may just be what someone out there needs to hear today. We never know what others may be going through and that they just may need a special message or a song to lift their spirits.  So thank you for allowing me to share this with you each week.  I think you will enjoy the song especially at the beginning.  I've included the lyrics for you below so you can sing along:

 Since Jesus Came Into My Heart

What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought

Since Jesus came into my heart!

I have light in my soul for which long I had sought

Since Jesus came into my heart!

Since Jesus came into my heart

Since Jesus came into my heart

Floods of joy o’er my soul like the sea billows roll,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

I’m possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure

Since Jesus came into my heart

And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure

Since Jesus came into my heart

Since Jesus came into my heart

Since Jesus came into my heart

Floods of joy o’er my soul like the sea billows roll,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

There’s a light in the valley of death now for me

Since Jesus came into my heart

And the gates of the city beyond I can see,

Since Jesus came into my heart

Since Jesus came into my heart

Since Jesus came into my heart

Floods of joy o’er my soul like the sea billows roll,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

I shall go there to dwell in that city, I know

Since Jesus came into my heart

And I’m happy, so happy, as onward I go

Since Jesus came into my heart

Since Jesus came into my heart

Since Jesus came into my heart

Floods of joy o’er my soul like the sea billows roll,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

This little chickadee in the holly tree doesn't really have anything to do with what I've written above, but it just made me smile as I was sitting out in the Secret Memorial Garden yesterday afternoon, and so I thought you'd enjoy seeing him too. He was scolding me for sitting a little too close to the bird feeder, but eventually he overcame his timidity and decided I wasn't posing any threat to him and so he quickly grabbed a few bird seeds and flew away, to come back time and again for a little while. I love watching God's little birdies fly to and fro, gathering food for their families. We really aren't all that different, are we? Sometimes we have to get over our fears so we can move forward and put our family's needs ahead of our own uncertainties. That takes faith...faith that God is bigger than any perceived threat or enemy out there, and faith that God is with me and will never lead me to places where He has not already gone before me.   This goes along with our key verse for the Ladies' Bible Study we are doing in the book of Joshua:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9 ESV

I am looking forward to going through this study with the women from our church. Perhaps I will be able to share a few things with you from time to time as we go through it. The first week was about 

"On the edge of uncertainty: facing our fears". 

One subtitle was "Be a warrior, not a worrier."

These are some things for me to work on. 

You know, we are never too old to learn something new from God!

How about you? Perhaps you can share something new you are learning!

Have a blessed day and week my friends. Let us try to be "strong and courageous" no matter what this old world may throw in our paths this week.

The Secret Garden Chronicles - I Keep Repeating Myself-But I Am Not Alone!

Well dear friends out in blogland...Thank you for your kind comments on yesterday's post, "Sheltered and Protected:"  (Seen in this link: ) http://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-secret-garden-chronicles-sheltered.html

Apparently this is a message that the Lord wanted us to hear again...because after I posted it, I realized that I had just posted a very similar message in January from the Secret Garden: (seen in this next link:) http://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2017/01/the-secret-garden-chronicles-day-6-he.html


And then, on further examination, I realized that I had written about this a few years ago as well:
http://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2010/10/he-hideth-my-soul.html

So now, what am I to deduce from these repetitious messages?  Either I am going senile and can't remember what I wrote even  a little over a month ago...or it is a message that the Lord is wanting to get across to not only me but others out there in blogland!  I prefer to think of the latter as the truth rather than the former...even though I was at the Doctor's office with my husband today, and the Dr. gave my hubby a "memory test"...you know,  gave him some objects to remember...and then came back to it ten minutes later and asked again what those three objects were...and I hate to admit it that we both missed one of the three objects...our favorite fruit...apples!!!  Yikes!  The other parts of the test were also a little challenging...I was glad that I wasn't the one being tested...and then I come home and realize that I keep repeating myself here...and well, help!! 

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has issues like this...but it is a little embarrassing to put it out here for all the world to see!!!  However, maybe that is a good sign...I am still coherent enough to recognize that this could be a problem rather than just continuing to do it over and over and over again and people start whispering behind my back that I keep repeating myself, and...and...Okay...enough of this!

So, friends, what have YOU been up to lately?  I have confessed my frailties...please tell me I'm not alone!

Speaking of alone...This is the only picture I took today...of this Sand Hill Crane standing all alone down by the pond in our neighborhood.

I have a feeling she/he really wasn't all alone, as this is most likely their nesting season...and she/he may have been standing guard near the nest.  I know I heard the cranes calling each other not long after I passed by here, so I'm sure they were close by.  

You know, we are never really alone either...even when we may think there is no one else around us...we are never truly alone...

Here are a few verses that I read today that I found interesting...

Genesis 28:15-16

(God was talking to Jacob in a dream...this is from the famous "Jacob's Ladder" story)

15.  "Behold I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land;

for I will not leave you until I have done 

what I have spoken to you."

16.  Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said,

"Surely the Lord is in this place, 

and I did not know it."

I wonder how often we have felt the Lord's Presence in a certain place...and perhaps didn't realize at the time that is WHO it was...but maybe later we recognized that it could only have been the Lord...

I know I've had those kinds of experiences in my life...how about you?

Here is another verse that I read today in my devotional time that brought a sense of comfort and peace to my heart:

Psalm 34:7

"The angel of the Lord encamps all around

those who fear Him,

and delivers them."

The "Angel of the Lord" is thought to be God Himself, according to my understanding of scripture...but, even if it isn't God Himself, it is His angel, sent especially to set up camp and totally surround us, giving us complete protection and deliverance from any foe.  I love this verse. I have it highlighted in my Bible, and a note written in the margin that this verse was read to our son Matthew on the day before he slipped away into heaven. He had expressed some fear and had asked the Hospice chaplain to pray for courage a couple of days earlier.  (Click HERE for more about that story, written just a few days before Matthew passed away) I know the Lord was there with him...and with us during that extremely difficult time.

Just a few verses later, in verse 18, we are told that

"The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,

And saves such as have a contrite spirit."

I know there are many of you who could attest to the truth of that statement...and so could I.  When our son did pass away, we truly felt the Presence of the Lord surrounding and undergirding us with His strong arms, giving us the strength to move forward even in our grief, knowing that our son was no longer suffering and was definitely standing in the very Presence of the Lord at that moment. And He is still here with us, almost three years later...giving us that strength and comfort that only He can give.

Throughout our lives we will experience God's Presence in happy times as well as sad times...because He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. (see Deuteronomy 31:6, 8)  I know I've repeated that verse many times in the past  (Click HERE for one of those times)  But, even God has repeated that message many times over and over again...so I guess I'm in good company after all!!

It's very comforting to know that I am definitely not alone!! Amen?

Just another picture of the chickadee, standing guard near the nest in the bird house...I decided to stay clear of there today and give them a chance to finish building.  

Finding Your Voice

Finding Your Voice

I don't know what this little deer was trying to say to me, but it appears that she's definitely trying to find her voice and tell me something important!

This past Sunday in our Bible Study time we were challenged to think about different people in the Bible who found their voice.  Our main study was in the book of Amos...the prophet who said

"I was no prophet, nor was I a son of a prophet, 

but I was a sheepbreeder and a tender of sycamore fruit.

Then the Lord took me as I followed the flock, 

and the Lord said to me,

'Go, prophesy to My people Israel.'"  Amos 7:14-15

And so he did!  Read the book of Amos for the powerful message he gave to Israel, as per the Lord's instruction.

Think about some others in the Bible who "found their voice"...Moses, when he told Pharoah to "let my people go" (Read the book of Exodus for this story). There was the Apostle Peter, a fisherman who left all to follow Christ and became a great leader in the establishment of the Christian church, (see the book of Acts),   Queen Esther (click on the link for another post about what she had to say), and certainly King David as he wrote most all of the Psalms, and don't forget all of the prophets, both major and minor...the apostles who wrote the Gospels, Paul who found his voice after he was struck blind on the road to Damascus, (see Acts 9), The Apostle John, who wrote the Gospel of John, I, II, & III John as well as the Book of Revelation...and the list goes on and on.

But what about you and me?  In what ways have you or I found our voices?  And what is our message?

I can honestly say that when I discovered the way to write this blog, God helped me to find my voice. And then, when I received probably one of the very best gifts ever...my camera... that opened my voice even further...to be able to share pictures of God's beautiful creation with the world...and to have the opportunity to express the messages that God impresses upon my heart through His creation by sharing them with you here...Wow! What a blessed way to "find my voice".  

Perhaps some of you have found your voice through the gift of singing, or teaching, or praying.  There are many of you who have the gift of counseling and sharing God's love and compassion through your messages of hope and encouragement.  Maybe even some have found their voice in the ability to bring healing through God's healing hands in the application of medicine and care-giving.

You may have found your voice by being a testimony of Christ's love and saving grace to those around you, whether in the work-place, community, church or home.  Finding your voice in your home to share love and hope and encouragement with your children and your spouse is a wonderful gift.

I know that there are some who are just getting the courage to speak up about injustice, abuse, and the lies of the enemies of our souls.  It takes a lot of courage to speak out against the darkness...but fear not, God is with you, and He will give you the words to speak when it is the time to speak. 

"But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak.

For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;

for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you."

Matthew 10: 19-20

You know, if you are a believer in Christ, you have much good news to proclaim! In whatever way you are led to do so, find your voice and proclaim the Good News!

"How beautiful upon the mountains 

are the feet of him who brings good news,

Who proclaims peace,

Who brings glad tidings of good things,

Who proclaims salvation,

Who says to Zion,

'Your God reigns!"

Isaiah 52:7

Mt. Washington, NH, photo taken in 2013

Click HERE for a continuation of this topic- "Finding Your Voice-Part Two"

Moments of Grace: Evening Reflections

These are my evening reflections...

"Be strong and of good courage, 

do not fear nor be afraid of them;

For the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you.

He will not leave you nor forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6

"And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you.

He will be with you.

He will not leave you nor forsake you;

Do not fear nor be dismayed."

Deuteronomy 31:8

Perhaps someone out there needs to hear these words of hope and strength and courage today. Perhaps that someone is me...or you...

And then I turned the pages in my Bible and landed on these encouraging words of healing in 

Luke 8:48 ~

"Daughter, be of good cheer;

Your faith has made you well.

Go in peace."

Dear friends, I know there are many out there in need of healing; whether it be physical, emotional, spiritual, or even material healing; i.e; financial, home, employment, too much or not enough...whatever the case may be...Jesus wants to bring healing to you.  

In this particular situation found in Luke 8:43-48, there was a woman who had suffered for many, many years.  She had spent all her livelihood on doctors who could not heal her. And as Jesus was passing through her region, many multitudes of people thronged about Him...reaching out and calling to Him, begging Him to heal them. Envision a current day rock star or popular politician or leader trying to work His way through the crowds with so many clamoring to be recognized...and imagine this person suddenly stopping in the midst of the crowd and asking, "Who touched Me?" I am sure we would respond much like Peter did, "Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'"   But Jesus knew that power had gone out from Him, and that someone was reaching out to Him in faith.  When the woman realized that Jesus was aware of her, she fell down before Him and "declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately."  And then Jesus said to Her the words highlighted above from verse 48.  

Do you have any burdens today that have become too hard to bear? My Bible tells me that if I just reach out in faith, believing, God will take care of me.  It also tells me not to fear...and that He will never forsake me.

Reflect on these words...

Such amazing grace! "Daughter, be of good cheer!"

Such beautiful words..."Your faith has made you well...go in peace!"

Such words of hope and comfort..."Do not fear nor be dismayed!"

Thank you, Lord, for these promises and words of hope tonight.

As we reflect on these words, 

may they encourage, comfort and heal those who might be afraid or in need of a touch from You.

Amen.

"She Can Laugh at the Days to Come"

"She can laugh at the days to come."

Proverbs 31:25, NIV

Quite a few years ago I attempted to write a devotional booklet for women based upon the "Proverbs 31 Woman".  You know the one...that marvelous example of womanhood that many of us would love to emulate, but all too often we sadly fall short and find ourselves thinking we can never measure up to her standards.  If you are interested in seeing some of what I did write, I'll leave a few links at the end of this post. You will quickly see what I mean about not measuring up...

Anyway, before writing this post I searched back through the things I had written from Proverbs 31, and discovered that I had written something for every verse in that chapter except for this particular verse 25.  I'm not sure why I skipped over this one. The other verses were certainly more difficult in some ways...

But let's look at the complete verse...in the New International Version it says:

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."

The version of the Bible that I normally read is the New King James version, and it reads this way:

"Strength and honor are her clothing;

She shall rejoice in time to come."

Either way you read it, this Proverbs 31 woman has the courage (strength) and dignity to not worry about the days to come; she can actually LAUGH and REJOICE perhaps even in the face of adversity and the unknown.  Why? Because this woman has confidence in God...and she knows that no matter what, God is with her. She need not fear the future, because she knows WHO holds her future.

As most of you are aware by now, I just recently retired.  To be quite honest, it was a risky move, financially speaking.  There are many "unknowns" in my future...but there is One constant "KNOWN"...and that is the fact that God holds my future, and therefore I can enter into this season of life with a smile on my face and joy in my heart. Yes, I can "laugh at the days to come"...and with every new day of this retirement I am finding more and more ways to rejoice.  Thank you, Jesus!!

My prayer today is that other "Proverbs 31" women out there will learn how to laugh at the days to come with the confidence that God is already there...no matter what.

Now, if you want to go back and read a few of my early escapades attempting to be a "Proverbs 31 Woman"... and some other examples of this remarkable woman...check these out:

"An Inauspicious Beginning";  "First Snow"; "Another Faux Pas"; "Vanity, Oh Vanity"; "Who Can Find a Virtuous Wife?"; "Getting Fit, What's the Motive?"

Thank you, Lord, for this powerful example of a Godly woman. Help me, Lord, 

to rejoice in all the days to come.

Amen.

A Journey of Opposites

Light and Darkness

Life and Death

Fear and Courage

Seeming opposites...and yet they all go together.

Without the darkness would we ever understand the light?

Without life, there would be no death.

Without fear, would we ever need to have courage?

Last week my son, who has terminal cancer, was admitted to a Hospice House in a community near his home. (1500 miles away from my home). Obviously, this is a step that brings every parent to their knees.  No one wants to see their loved one, whether it be a child, adult, spouse, sibling, anyone come to that point in life where it has become necessary to admit they are nearing the threshold of heaven.

John 1:5 tells us that "And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it."
"This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."  I John 1: 5-7

This week I am being immersed in the Light of God.  His testimony of life and light is all around me. It is an unusual tale...but not when you know the God of Light.

The reflection shown above appeared on my wall last week, a couple of days after Matthew was admitted to Hospice House.  I walked into my kitchen and noticed the light reflecting behind the blue vase, and then my eyes were directed to the wall just to the right of the vase, and the reflection I discovered there was shimmering and vibrating with dazzling brilliant light. I was so amazed by this phenomenon that I immediately ran to find my camera, hoping that it would remain until I could capture it. I later posted these pictures on my Facebook page, and I said "I wish I had taken time to dust this vase before I photographed it, but then the reflection would have been gone."  I meant that by the time I dusted it the moment would have passed and we would have missed it.  One of my friends commented, "Without the dust the reflection would have been gone...interesting..."   And that got me to thinking a little more deeply about this whole reflection of light event.

Strangely enough, this reflection continued to dance before our eyes for several minutes, during which time I received a phone call from a lady at the Hospice house, who happened to be sitting with Matthew for the evening to give my daughter in law a break.  She said she was calling to let me know that Matthew was sleeping peacefully and comfortably and that he was being well cared for.  I was surprised by her call, and particularly at that moment in time, but it gave me great comfort.  And then the light began to fade away and the vase once again sat in somewhat obscurity on my little shelf in the kitchen.

Several of my Facebook friends had interesting, deep comments about this Light Reflection.  A couple thought for sure they could see an angel in the light...

and another said:

"Maybe his spirit was visiting you at the time. . I have had this happen to me several times with close friends and family members who were in the state that Matt it is. Beautiful experience and a look into the mysterious ways of the spirit.  A gift that is for sure."       
Certainly some food for thought...

A few days later my husband and I boarded a plane to head north to be with our son, most likely for the very last time here on earth.  As we walked down the crowded aisle of the airplane to claim our seats, I noticed right away that the seat next to mine was already filled with a young woman holding a very young baby in her arms.  My first thought was, "Oh great!  We get to listen to a crying baby all the way to Maine." Not a very pleasant thought in my current state of mind. After all, we were heading into very turbulent seas, and we needed all the calming we could get.  So I settled down in my seat and made pleasant small talk with the young woman, asking about her baby's age, name, you know, all the usual questions one would ask about a new baby.  And she was very sweet and I could see that she truly loved her little baby boy and she was excited to be taking this trip to visit her parents and extended family who would be meeting her child for the first time.  Little by little I warmed up to this precious infant as he looked in my direction and began to smile and coo and respond to my funny faces and goo goo-ing at him. Every time he would start to fuss, all I had to do was look at him and smile, and he would stop fussing and smile back at me.

As the plane began its descent, the flight attendant came by and asked the young woman next to me if she had fastened her seatbelt.  Obviously, with her hands full of a very young baby she could not easily hold him and fasten her seatbelt at the same time.  So I asked her if she would like for me to hold her baby so she could take care of the belt, and by this time she felt she could trust me to hold her precious cargo, and so she placed that sweet bundle in my arms and I just melted.

Here I was, headed for my precious son's death, and God arranged it so that I could hold a new life in my arms, even if only for a few minutes.  

Kindly, the young mother allowed me the privilege of holding her warm cuddly baby all the way until we were firmly landed and stopped on the ground. I cannot begin to express to you how therapeutic and marvelous those moments were to my sad, sore heart.  It was a joy deep within my soul that I could not contain.

A little while later we arrived at the hospice house to visit our son.  As I walked into his room, he immediately looked at us and said, "Daddy, Mommy!"  Our son is 41 years old, married and has a son of his own, but these childhood terms of endearment reached into our hearts and overwhelmed us with love and relief.  Relief that he was still alive...and that he still knew who we were.  He has been in a very agitated stated of confusion, due to strong pain medications and the progression of the disease that is ravaging his body, so we really didn't know what to expect.

Then my husband directed my attention to look out of the window. and this is what we saw:

And as it twisted and turned in the wind, we both gasped...as the shimmering undulating motion of this magnificent wind "whirligig" so strongly resembled the image of the dazzling light reflection seen on the wall of our kitchen on that day not long before...THIS is the image our son can view directly outside of his window as he lays in his bed....certainly some more food for thought of the ways of the spirit...

Finally I come to the last part of this trilogy of words...Fear and Courage...

Yesterday afternoon the Chaplain stopped by to visit, and as she was preparing to go she asked Matthew if there were any words that he would like her to pray for him. The words that came clearly and strongly from Matthew's lips were, "Fear and Courage."  I thought this was pretty amazing, as the only words he had spoken over the past several days were nonsensical...phrases that made no sense to any of us...distorted thoughts and collections of words that we could not identify as having any particular meaning.  

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

This morning my husband was quoting a most familiar scripture that sums up all of the above for us:

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want..

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters 

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness 

for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Psalm 23

I think that is all I need to say.

Make your own conclusions about the messages that God is giving me...and you...through

these thoughts today.

Thank you for your continued prayers for my precious son as he continues in this fight between

Darkness and Light

Life and Death

Fear and Courage.

It is obvious to me that we are not alone on this journey.

Outdoor pictures are from the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House of Southern Maine.

Postscript: Our beloved son passed in the light and love of heaven just five days after I wrote this, on May 25th, 2014.  I believe God gave him the courage he needed to face that journey, and we know that he did not make it alone..