Welcome to my "Open Window"...a place of hope, encouragement, and adventure as we journey down the road from "Closed Doors" to the new opportunities God places in our pathway. I hope you will take the time to go back and follow the trail of mixed blessings and fears, failures and triumphs from the past and side-trips in the present. Perhaps it will conjure up some of your own special memories, and be an invitation for you to share with others. I look forward to spending this time with you!
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!
It's Sunday, and I am home instead of being at Sunday school and church. Had a bit of a "bug" yesterday and today, and I just needed to stay home and let my body heal. I've been taking a lot of little naps...seems like that is what is needed most. This morning after hubby left for church I decided to treat myself to being a "guest" in my own house and went and laid down on the bed in the guest room to see what it would feel like to be a guest here. LOL.
I pulled Nanny Martin's restored quilt* up over me, and I went to sleep pretty quickly, so that is a good sign that the room is cozy and comfy.
Then I made the bed back when I got up so I wouldn't be tempted to lay back down...
I am enjoying the new little shabby chic nightstand that was given to me by my son at Dixie Cottage, and am very grateful to have it.
It will be a nice spot to put a cup of tea and a good book when I feel like reading...
And when I awaken from my nap I can refresh myself with a pitcher of warm water...(or I could just go across the hall to the bathroom where there is real running hot and cold water! LOL)
Anyway, I am thankful for the comforts of home when I don't feel up to being out there in the world. Sometimes we just need to "retreat' and let our body be restored.
Interestingly the sermon today at church is from the 23rd Psalm. How do I know? Well, our Pastor records his messages ahead of time to put on the church website so that people who are shut in at home can go online and hear the message and also sing along with the choir on one of the hymns. Our choir pre-records the song at our practice time earlier in the week, so that is why you will notice that I am singing in the choir when I am not there at church today. LOL. Here it is for you if you want to listen to a good message and hear us singing "Oh, How I Love Jesus!"
"There is a name I love to hear; I love to sing its worth
It sounds like music in my ear, the sweetest name on earth.
O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus
Because He first loved me.
It tells me of a Savior’s love, who died to set me free
It tells me of His precious blood, the sinner’s perfect plea.
O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus
Because He first loved me.
It tells me what my Father hath in store for every day
And, tho’ I tread a darksome path, yields sunshine all the way.
O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus
Because He first loved me.
It tells of One whose loving heart can feel my deepest woe
Who in each sorrow bears a part that none can bear below.
O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus
Because He first loved me."
While I was sitting here writing this to you I was blessed by a little visitor out on the porch. I couldn't get a good picture of him while he was sitting on the porch rail right outside my window, but he soon moved out to perch on the post that holds one of our birdhouses, and there he posed for me so sweetly so I could share him with you:
Isn't he sweet? This is a little Eastern Phoebe, and he is a welcome visitor since he loves to catch flies and bugs. You can often hear them calling "Phoebe, Phoebe" as they sit and watch for the bugs to appear.
This was a sweet gift to see him today. I love the ways God blesses us when we need little reminders of His Presence.
This little bird sits "Beside the Still Waters" here at our own Still Waters Pond...,
very fitting with the sermon today from the 23rd Psalm, where God leads us beside the still waters...where He restores our soul...
A Psalm of David.
Psalm 23
"1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 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.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever."
I hope this has been a refreshing and restorative retreat for you today. May the Lord bless you and keep you in peace.
