My "Open Window" Wasn't Really Open - Updated & Reposted

Today is "Throwback Thursday" on Facebook, and "Thankful Thursday" here in blogland.  This will be a combination of the two...a throwback to what I wrote on 11/3/2012...and a message of thankfulness that

"The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge." 
(Isaiah 46:11)

So here is the original post.  I pray it will be a blessing to you today, almost four years later!

Today started out with a "bang"!  I missed it, but my son and husband heard it loud and clear and tried to hold me back from investigating.  They wanted to spare me the sadness...

Some people are superstitious when a bird flies into a window.  They proclaim it to be a "bad omen", or a sign that something terrible is going to happen to the inhabitants of that house.  I am not the least bit concerned about bad luck or such dire predictions.  When a bird flies into a window, the only one with "bad luck" was the poor birdie.  Such was the "luck" of one handsome red male cardinal today.  I am sorry to say that "Pamela's Open Window" was not really open, as this unfortunate racing bird discovered.  The impact was sudden and severe. His gravely still supine body laid inertly on my patio. Not a feather ruffled. No overt sign of the impact, but it was obvious he was no longer among the living. 

The Racing Rival...Waiting for the Race to Resume

I did feel sad.  He was so bold and strong and full of life one moment, and totally lifeless the next. He was merrily flying through life, actually in a race with another brightly plumed fellow...who was now perching in the tree just beyond the corner of the house, watching and wondering when his friend would rise up and join him again in their merry flight.

Soon a female cardinal joined him in the tree, but I was unable to capture her picture.  They were both solemnly watching me as I stood over the still figure of their flock mate expressing my own sorrow at his untimely demise.   My son soon arrived with a shovel to take care of the lifeless body of our feathered friend.  I sort of wished I could have one of his beautiful feathers to mark this day, but since they were all still intact I did not feel it would be appropriate to pluck one for my own selfish reasons.  He was carried to his woodsy grave with all his feathers still covering his now rigid body.

I couldn't help but think about how abruptly life as we know it can end.  One minute we are merrily flying through our own little world, racing along with our "flock-mates", and Wham! We get stopped by a Closed Window...whether it be a diagnosis of a serious illness, a horrible accident, the loss of a mate, child, or other precious loved one. It could be an unbelievable storm, fire, flood or other "act of God", wiping away our home and everything familiar and precious in one horrendous disaster. The loss of a job, relationship, marriage, taking captive our ability to trust others and perhaps even our faith in God.  Yes, life can be full of "closed windows" taking us completely by surprise.  How do we cope? Where do we turn?

I can only speak from God's Word and tell you what I know to be true from my own life:

"God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,

Even though the earth be removed,

and though the mountains be carried

into the midst of the sea;

Though its waters roar and be troubled,

Though the mountains shake with its swelling.

There is a river whose streams

shall make glad the city of God,

The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her,

she shall not be moved;

God shall help her,

just at the break of dawn.

The nations raged,

the kingdoms were moved;

He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge."

Psalm 46: 1-7

"Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!"

The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge."

Psalm 46:10-11

When I run into closed doors (or windows), I run directly to my God, Who is my refuge and strength...and Who IS a very present help in trouble.  I do not need to fear when I am knocked down to the ground by the impact of the calamities of this life.  I know that I will be carried safely in the arms of Christ, whether it be to the "open window" of the next round of this race, or whether it be to the portals of heaven...I do not need to fear.  "The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge."

I have been through some deep waters in my life. You don't know about all of it, nor do I need to tell you. Suffice it to say, I know something about God being my refuge and strength.  Perhaps I haven't been through what you have experienced. Your pain may be far greater than anything I could ever imagine.  But I do know that God is far greater than anything or any ONE you could ever imagine. His arms are not shortened by the magnitude of the traumas of your life..."Be Still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"...The One Who is this Exalted God is the same One Who knows your name...He is there for you...He stands ready to be your refuge and strength, and your very present help in trouble.  If you don't know this already, ask Him to show you. He will do it. Just ask.