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~ This n That

Hello Everyone!  It's Friday already, and our Sand Hill Crane Colts, "Spring" and "Trumpet", are a week old and growing like weeds!  

We enjoy their daily visits to our back yard along the shore of Still Waters Pond with their parents...

Mom and Dad are quite protective and careful, but they seem to be pretty trusting of us and enjoy a little handful of bird seed when we throw it over the porch rail to them.

As you can see, these youngsters are quite healthy and strong and ready to go wherever Mom and Dad lead them.

Our kitties, Blackie Sue and Sunshine, don't appear to be much of a threat to the Crane family.  They don't appear to be much of a threat to anyone! LOL. Lazy kitties on a Friday afternoon...

Yes, they are quite at home here now. And I'm still not too sure about Blackie Sue's "condition".  Sometimes I think she's just fat. But time will tell...

Speaking of special friends and their pets...Lily Grace (click HERE for a story about when Lily Grace met Bailey for the first time) wanted to say hello. She and her dog Bailey were out for a stroll in the land of the teddy bears in the guest bedroom.  But there's something else special about this:

If you noticed the pillow behind Lily Grace and Bailey, you will see a lovely little girl walking her very fancy Poodle.  Well, Lily Grace said she wanted to do the same thing with Bailey, so here you go...Bailey may not be a fancy Poodle, but she is a very nice Beagle, and Lily Grace may not be a fancy ballerina, but she does have flowers in her hair and a flowery skirt just like the little girl in the embroidered picture! Never mind that she is wearing her flowery skirt over her Ladybug Pajamas! It's still kind of chilly here overnight and in the mornings, and the Pj's under her skirt feel really nice and cozy.

Link to the story of when I made this pillow. There's quite a special story there, well worth going back to read. The embroidery was originally done by my hubby's grandmother, "Nanny Martin", and I made it into that pillow for hubby's cousin Janice on her birthday...but read the link to the post to get the whole story.

      

Let's see, what else is new?  Well, today hubby and I did our civic duty and we voted (early voting) for the special election that is taking place in our district to elect a Congressman to the House of Representatives to replace a Congressman who was selected by President Trump for his cabinet.   I won't say who we voted for, but let's just say we made  the "right" choice and voted for a very "fine" candidate.

 The actual election is Tuesday, April 1st, so for those here in our part of the state, you still have time to vote! Don't forget!! It's a very important seat.

We drove by the Old Brush General Store again this week to see what progress is being made. They have put the tar paper or whatever it is that goes under the metal roof on top of the plywood.

I expect the new roofing material will be put on this next week sometime.  They still have a long way to go to restore this old building, but at least it's a start.

We took a walk down the walking trail in old downtown Interlachen, and saw some wildflowers and wisteria growing in the empty lots where the old houses used to be before the highway was widened.

Coral Bean

I think this is a kind of Trumpet Vine

Spiderwort

And more beautiful Wisteria, growing up the side of a palm tree!

Every season brings out more and more beauty to enjoy!

Well, I thought I was out of pictures to share, but while I am sitting here trying to write this post, I keep getting interrupted by all the excitement outside my window...

These Pesky Muscovy Ducks keep coming up here on our back porch, or the roof, or in the yard, or wherever they want to go, and they like to eat the cats' food, or the cranes' food...and they are making themselves to be general pests.

This Canada Goose is about to let the ducks know what he thinks of them in his territory...

 He chased them away... Hooray!

And was very proud of himself and talking to me saying, "There, I took care of those pests!"

So I had just thrown out a little bit of birdseed to reward him when I noticed that the Male Sand Hill Crane had come back around for his afternoon snack.  He has safely deposited the mother crane and babies over on their nest for the night, and then he comes over to see if he can forage up a little more food before settling down for the night himself.  I wasn't sure what the Geese and Crane were going to do, but since the babies weren't present, the Crane didn't seem to have any problem with the geese.  Earlier in the day he had thoroughly chased them away when the babies were present. It was quite a sight, but I wasn't fast enough with my camera to capture it.  There was a lot of honking and flapping of wings going on! LOL.

Meanwhile, Blackie Sue and Sunshine where just trying to mind their own business up on the porch. 

They had just eaten their supper, and I know those ducks were trying to sneak back up there to eat whatever was left.

Blackie Sue was reassuring Sunshine that everything was okay. They are really good buddies and very sweet with each other.

 Meanwhile, the geese and Mr. Crane are all getting along fine.

The ducks are discussing their plans to get at that food...

They would like to get to the bird seed, but the geese and crane have it under their control.

The Geese are turning back around to chase them away again...

And even though I quit taking pictures, they did chase them off again, and I chased them off the porch a couple more times, and finally just gave up. The cats' food has all been eaten so they don't have any reason to come back up on the porch.

I may have to contact someone to come and trap these ducks and remove them as they are definitely becoming a nuisance.  We shall see. I don't want to harm them, but they are upsetting the balance of nature here on Still Waters Pond  (and upsetting my balance of nature too. LOL).

Here's some good thoughts to keep things in perspective...and remember that God is always in control.

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.  

Things to "Ponder"... Updated

Our son Matthew, on one of our last
walks in the woods together

UPDATE 2016: I wrote this original post right after Christmas in the year that our precious son Matthew passed away from cancer the previous May. (2014).  We've just gotten through another Christmas without him, and I must say it really doesn't get any easier.  The holidays will always bring back memories and thoughts of our loved ones who have gone on before us.  But what we do with those memories is what matters. I choose  try not to wallow in sorrow or grief...even though there are moments when I feel overwhelmed and can't help but let the tears flow.  I had one experience during my Christmas shopping excursions this year that left me almost ready to start crying and screaming in the middle of a store (well, okay, I did my crying and screaming in the car afterward). That was the last store we visited together with our son before he died...one of his favorite kind of stores to shop in...Gander Mountain...because he loved the outdoors so much and loved everything about the woods, fishing, hunting, camping, survival stuff...and I could just feel his presence with me as I shopped in that store...it was comforting and heart wrenching at the same time. I wanted to leave, and yet I felt compelled to visit every department that I knew he loved...just to see those things the way I know he would have loved them...fishing lures, knives, camping stuff, all of it...

Okay, I apologize for rambling, and I certainly don't want to put a damper on a very happy season...and a marvelous Christmas that we have just had with our loved ones here. It was all wonderful...but sometimes we have to allow ourselves to acknowledge the underlying thoughts and sadness that may be affecting our emotions in ways that we don't even realize.  Many are going through grief and loss and loneliness...and may have many things to "ponder"....so read on...and be blessed and thankful for the wonderful gifts we do have through Christ Jesus our Lord...and allow Him to comfort and bring healing to the tender spots in our hearts and minds.

ORIGINAL POST 12/28/2014:

One verse kept leaping out at me this past week as we read the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-20...

"But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart."

What kind of things do you think Mary, the mother of Jesus, was pondering in her heart? 

• The Angelic announcement of the miraculous conception and birth of her baby, The Son of God.
• The kindness, love and support of her betrothed husband, Joseph, in the face of tremendous stress and concern.
• The unusual visit from the shepherds to the manger, and the excitement they shared over the angelic announcement of the birth of her baby. 

And then a few days later, when she and Joseph presented Jesus at the temple, Old Simeon came and prayed such an amazing blessing over the Baby... (Luke 2:29-32)

• "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace...
• My eyes have seen Your salvation 
• which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
• A Light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel..."

and it says in Luke 2:33 that "Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him (Jesus)."  

How would YOU feel if someone came and prayed such a prayer and then made this pronouncement over YOUR child?

"Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother,

'Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many

in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against...(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

Luke 2:34-35

Rather startling news I would say.  Not the kind of "blessing" a new mother would want to hear.  

And yet, every day there are new mothers and fathers, old mothers and fathers, friends, loved ones, spouses, hearing difficult news about someone they love...

• a dreaded diagnosis
• a terrible accident
• family problems
• a wayward child or mate
• loss of job, home, or loved one

Difficult things to ponder for anyone...and yet...because of the birth of this Child, The Son of God, we are not alone in our ponderings.  The protection and comfort of our Lord was promised to us throughout all of history, so that we need not fear.  Here is just one example of that promise:

"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

I can testify to you today, after a very difficult year and the loss of one of our precious sons, there were many days that I "pondered" many things in my heart. Even though our deepest prayers for our son's healing were not answered in the way we hoped they would be, I cannot question the promises and wisdom of God. I know that my son is now healed...and alive and well in heaven. So ultimately, our prayers were answered.  I cannot say that I understand everything, the why's and wherefore's and reasons...but I trust my Lord and Savior.  He sees the things that I cannot see. He holds our future in His hands...and because He is God, He will do all things well.

As we approach the New Year, I can do so with confidence, knowing that the God of the universe holds my life in His hands. I can say with the Psalmist:

"The Lord will perfect that which concerns me;

Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever..."

and then, because I am human, just like the Psalmist, I can add this little plea, and God will totally understand my heart and "ponderings"...

"Do not forsake the works of Your hands..." 

Psalm 138:8

Amen.

What kinds of things are you pondering at the close of this year and the beginning of the new?  Are you ready to trust the God of the Universe...Jesus Christ...God Incarnate, Who came in the flesh as a little baby...and now lives forevermore on the right hand of the Throne of God, interceding for you and me...to "perfect that which concerns" you?  Now would be a good time to "ponder" that in your heart.

You're By My Side-Updated

9/17/2016: I like to go back and read what I was writing this time last year and before, and see just where I was in my journey. This time last year I was contemplating and preparing to retire in a couple of months, and there was a lot going on in my mind and life. I remember this day so vividly. God sent His special messenger to cheer me onward and lift my spirits just when I needed it most. Perhaps that is where you are today. Maybe this message is meant for you. Read on and be blessed, my friend!

Original Post 9/8/15:
This afternoon on my way home from work I was blessed by the sight of a beautiful Bald Eagle alongside the road, eating his dinner. As I slowed down the car to get a better look, he began to fly right beside my car, low to the ground, slowly gaining altitude and eventually crossing in front of me and flying up into a tree on the other side of the road. Sadly, I did not have my camera with me (and my cell phone is ancient), so this picture is from last Thanksgiving when we were visited by this beautiful eagle...(Click HERE for that amazing story)

Anyway, as today's glorious eagle flew alongside my car for a short distance, this song came on the radio by Rend Collective : You Will Never Run Away - Rend Collective   (click the link for the song and sing along while you read the lyrics below)

Rend Collective 

From the album As Family We Go

You will never run away

You're forever mine

You will never run away

You're by my side

Love wide as galaxies

Love deeper than the sea

Countless as all infinity

Love like a shooting star

Tearing apart the dark

Shining for all eternity

Shining for all eternity

You will never run away

You're forever mine

You will never run away

You're by my side

You will never run away

You forever shine

You will never run away

You're by my side

Love stronger than the grave

Love rolled the stone away

Rising with endless majesty

Love takes us by the hand

Love is the wildest dance

You are the joy and fight in me

You are the joy and fight in me

You will never run away

You're forever mine

You will never run away

You're by my side

You will never run away

You forever shine

You will never run away

You're by my side

Hearts open wide

Hands lifted high

Over the clouds up into the blue sky

Hearts open wide

Hands lifted high

Over the clouds up into the blue sky

You will never run away

You're forever mine

You will never run away

You're by my side

You will never run away

You forever shine

You will never run away

You're by my side!!!

Publishing: © 2015 Thankyou Music (PRS/SESAC) (admin. worldwide at 

CapitolCMGPublishing.com, excluding Europe, which is admin. by IntegrityMusic.com)

Writer(s): Rend Collective

I wonder if you can grasp why this seemed so significant to me...I mean, have you ever been feeling a little down and unsure of God's plan and direction for your life...and you just needed a little burst of encouragement to help you recognize that God was there for you...that He hadn't forgotten you...and that He was actually right there beside you...always by your side????  Well...that's where I was today...and then God literally came alongside me and reassured me of His constant care and love...always by my side!!!  

I want you to know that after this obvious message from the Lord this afternoon I smiled and sang all the rest of the way home.  I could NOT stop smiling!  Actually a few tears rolled down my cheeks at the same time as the smile refused to give way to sorrow again.  They were tears of joy...God certainly got my attention this time!

You will never run away

You forever shine

You will never run away

You're by my side!!!

I hope you will be encouraged by this message today as well.  

"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