Thursday Thankfulness...Psalm 91 at work

 I hadn't really planned on writing again today, but then I received something special via text late last night and I wanted to share it with you, as it is again, another "sign" of God's protection and care for our loved ones.

I've mentioned before that our grandson is on a cross country camping adventure.  Occasionally he texts us some pictures of where they are as they continue their journey across country, and are currently still in the southwest.  Last night, just as we were getting ready for bed I heard my phone make the familiar texting jingle, and my first thought was, "Oh No! Who's sending texts this late? I hope there isn't a problem!"  So I quickly went to my phone and checked, and here was the message I found from our grandson:

"Made it to the Grand Canyon. Got stuck in it for a night but I was able to hike out.

It was very hard. It was a 4 mile hike out up 4500 feet. My legs are super sore. 

Hope all is going well with y'all. 

Much Love."

Well, you can imagine my joy in hearing from him, but like any grandmother, you can also imagine the feelings and thoughts running rampant about what he must have endured being "stuck in it (the Grand Canyon) for a night but was able to hike out..."   To my knowledge, until this particular cross-country trip, our grandson has not had much experience in hiking and climbing or even camping, for that matter. Yes, he is 22 years old, and he isn't really alone. There's three other people with him, two girls and another guy. Again, I am not aware that any of them had any great experience in hiking/climbing, etc.  But they do have youth and resilience on their side, and hopefully they are learning important survival skills along the way.  Nevertheless, my first thought was, "Thank God they are out safely!"  Here's a few pictures he sent today to show where they have been:

Yikes! That's not my grandson, but one of their group. Making my palms sweaty, that's for sure!

And since he's taking these pictures, well, yeah...I am a bit nervous...

Pretty amazing, huh???

We had not heard from him for a couple of weeks and I was beginning to get concerned because he had been trying to communicate at least once a week. My husband and I have consistently prayed for them every single night, especially praying for their safety as they travel, camp in deserted places, and try to support themselves financially by doing whatever odd jobs they can find along the way.  This past week in particular I felt very strongly to pray for their safety even more deliberately. And now I understand why.  Being "stuck" in the Grand Canyon for a night sounds rather frightful to me. But they were never alone. God was always with them, and I praise God that He helped them get back out again with nothing worse than sore legs!  

Today he said that he will have to call when he can because they are "in the Navajo Nation and service has been spotty ever since the canyon."  I had to look up the Navajo Nation to see exactly what that was.

HERE is a link to their website.  I guess I didn't realize they had their own government, etc.  Very interesting stuff to read there!  

This led me to thinking about something I remembered that our grandson's father (our son Matthew) had done when he was a young boy in about 4th grade.  Like most young boys at that time he seemed to have an interest in "Cowboys and Indians".  He was taking art lessons and painted this picture of this Native American warrior:

It now hangs in our guest room.  I believe he entered it in the county fair back then and may have won a ribbon, but for some reason I do not have the ribbon. Anyway, it's a blue ribbon prize winner in my mind for sure!

And then his 4th grade teacher taught them how to make "Fry Bread", which is also known as Navajo Fry Bread.  Here is the recipe he had, written in his own hand:

HERE is a link to an online recipe for Navajo Fry Bread, in case you want to try it.  I see it calls for warm milk instead of warm water, so I don't know how different it would taste.  I do remember Matthew making this at home for us after he learned about it in school. Precious memories from days long gone by.  I wonder if there's "Navajo Fry Bread" in heaven?  If so, Matthew is probably enjoying some.

Okay, that's what I got for today... I am VERY thankful for God's protection over our grandson and his friends while they travel and explore God's beautiful country. 

Psalm 91 pretty well describes the prayer and comfort that I have for our grandson:

Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God

"1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;

My God, in Him I will trust.”

3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler

And from the perilous pestilence.

4 He shall cover you with His feathers,

And under His wings you shall take refuge;

His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,

Nor of the arrow that flies by day,

6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,

Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,

And ten thousand at your right hand;

But it shall not come near you.

8 Only with your eyes shall you look,

And see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,

Even the Most High, your dwelling place,

10 No evil shall befall you,

Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

11 For He shall give His angels charge over you,

To keep you in all your ways.

12 In their hands they shall bear you up,

Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,

The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;

I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him,

And show him My salvation.”

Amen.

Is It Safe To Come Out Yet?

Is it safe to come out yet?

 This Tufted Titmouse has taken up residence in the birdhouse that was originally intended for bluebirds, but they never came back to move in.

The Bluebird when he was just visiting with Bobby the Squirrel earlier this spring.

 And then the Chickadee started to set up housekeeping in there, but apparently they decided to go elsewhere too.

One day I peeked inside and saw this lizard in there, and I closed it back up real quick. He's a funny looking bird.

And so I was happy to see this Tufted Titmouse poke his head out the other day. I hope she's going to actually stick with it and maybe  we will finally see some baby birds around here.  Sometimes I think they are just all "playing house" and aren't really serious about staying.  Time will tell.

Other activity in the bird kingdom beside Still Waters Pond...This Blue Jay was scolding this Hawk. They were making quite a racket, and then they flew away. Apparently the hawk was getting too close to the Blue Jay's nest or baby birds...

I guess we are all asking if it is "safe to come out yet?"  I've spoken with several different people, and depending upon their age and location, their opinions are varied.  Some refuse to leave the house without a mask...and others do not feel that a mask is really protecting them or anyone else and could even cause some harm to the wearer. I personally think it is a decision that each person must make for themselves, depending upon their own comfort level and health factors.  I do not believe that people should be forced to wear a mask, nor should they be ridiculed if they don't. Likewise, those who do not wear a mask should also be respectful of those who do wear a mask. There are so many conflicting opinions on this subject even among the medical community that I don't think anyone really has a totally correct answer.  So therefore, at this point in time, and depending upon where you live and other factors involved, each person needs to decide for themselves and do what you are most comfortable doing. 

I know that some people are still not comfortable going out to eat in restaurants or being in other public places.  And again, that is something that each person must decide for themselves. If you are not comfortable...please don't go! But on the other hand, for those who are ready to get out and enjoy some good food and fellowship with some friends, by all means go! Yes, we need to be respectful of those around us and maintain a safe "social distance", but again, I think we need to be realistic and realize that at some point in time we have to be ready and willing to embrace life again, and walk in faith and not by fear.

For those who truly need to get back to work, I pray that you are able to do so freely. There are some who have lost businesses or are in danger of losing their business, and they really need to get back and try to bring it back if they are able. Praying it's not already too late for them.  Others may not have a job to go back to and don't have any other source of income. and the government stimulus check has run out long ago. People have children to feed, mortgages/rent to pay, car payments, other bills that are pressing...and not all lenders are able to be that forgiving for very long. They also  have overhead bills to pay.  My heart goes out to these people, and I pray they are able to recapture what they've lost.

Most of all, we know that there are many who have been touched by this pandemic in a deeply sorrowful way. I know of those who have lost loved ones, others who have been sick but have recovered thankfully,  and/or there are those who have been working non-stop on the front lines, rescuing the perishing, caring for the dying. They've put their own lives at risk to save those who can't help themselves. Their lives have been painful, heart-breaking, exhausting. To them, our need to "get out and go somewhere" is the last thing on their minds.  We need to be respectful and sympathetic to their grief and pain.

I guess I am writing all of these thoughts because I've been touched by each and every aspect of this crisis in one way or another. My heart goes out to those who are truly, truly hurting. I do not want my desire to be "out and about" to cause hurt to those who are caught in the crossfires of this tragedy and can't see any way out of it at this time.

Thinking about these things reminds me of a gospel song that I have loved to sing in the past.

Does Jesus Care?

"Does Jesus care when my heart is pained

Too deeply for mirth or song,

As the burdens press, and the cares distress,

And the way grows weary and long?

Chorus:

Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when my way is dark

With a nameless dread and fear?

As the daylight fades into deep night shades,

Does He care enough to be near?

(chorus)

Does Jesus care when I've tried and failed

To resist some temptation strong;

When for my deep grief there is no relief,

Though my tears flow all the night long?

(chorus)

Does Jesus care when I've said "goodbye"

To the dearest on earth to me,

And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—

Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

(Chorus)

Sung by "The Isaacs"

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: William J. Gaither / Lily Isaacs

So, to sum this up...we are each responsible to make decisions that are right for ourselves and our own family situations. I realize that some are stuck in locations where their government leaders have made life very difficult, and in many cases, unrealistically overburdening their people. Praying that God will give people in those situations the grace and patience to hang in there, hoping that things will soon get better...but again, each person needs to make choices that are right for them.

The important thing to remember is that you are not alone in your struggles. God is with you. Yes, Jesus DOES care...He sees the pain and difficulties you are going through, and He is there ready and willing to help.  We don't always understand why we are stuck in such difficult situations, but one thing I have learned in life is that when the way gets rough, God is there, and He is helping me get through.   He brings us through to rich fulfillment.

Psalm 66:10-12, 18-20

10.  "For You, O God, have tested us;

You have refined us as silver is refined.

11.  You brought us into the net;

You laid affliction on our backs.

12.  You have caused men to ride over our heads;

We went through fire and through water;

But YOU brought us out to rich fulfillment."

18.  If I regard iniquity in my heart,

The Lord will not hear.

19.  But certainly God has heard me;

He has attended to the voice of my prayer.

20.  Blessed be God,

Who has not turned away my prayer,

Nor His mercy from me!"

I have a "footnote" in my Bible by these last verses, dated 5/25/2014, "The Day Matthew died."  I read these verses in my devotional that morning, the day that our son died from cancer. That anniversary is coming up next Monday, I just realized.    Those were very hard days; much harder than anything we personally are going through right now.  But God was with us, and He heard our cries, and He gave us His love and mercy. He showed us He cared. Yes, our son died. But Jesus comforted us. We grieved, but He was touched with our grief and dried our tears. We went through "fire and through water" in our souls, but GOD brought us out to rich fulfillment.  

These times are difficult, and they have been very trying for many...perhaps someone who is reading this now.  But please know, you are not alone. Jesus does care...and He WILL see you through.  And soon we will all be able to say, "Yes, it is safe to come out now"....

Have a blessed week my friends.

So Thankful

Every Parent's  (& Grandparent's) Nightmare:

Facebook message from my daughter in law...

"The phone rings and wakes you from a deep sleep. You groggily answer and hear your teenager, panicked and upset, telling you they’ve been in an accident. Every parents nightmare. That was mine last night. Thankfully Noah is fine; just sore with some scrapes and bruises. Always wear your seat belt and be safe."  

This is a picture of our precious grandson Noah and his Mama, when they were here for our son's wedding last fall:

When I got this message about Noah being in an accident, and thankfully that he was okay...all I could do was praise God and give Him thanks for His protection and watch-care over our only grandson.  This was obviously a very scary situation...but God was there...

"Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, 

Even the Most High, your dwelling place,

No evil shall befall you,

Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

For He shall give His angels charge over you,

to keep you in all your ways.

In their hands they shall bear you up,

Lest you dash your foot against a stone...

You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,

The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

Because he has set his love upon Me,

therefore I will deliver him;

I will set him on high, because 

he has known My name.

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble'

I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him,

and show him My salvation."

Psalm 91:9-16

Thank You, Jesus, for giving Your angels charge over our grandson. May You always keep him in all his ways. May You be there to deliver him, hear his cries, answer him when he is in any trouble. I pray that you will deliver him and honor him, and satisfy him with long life, and show him Your salvation. Amen.

I know that our grandson already knows the Lord...but he is about to embark upon a new journey in life as he graduates from high school in a few weeks.  We are looking forward to being there (in Maine) to celebrate this special moment with him, and to represent his father, (our son) who will be proudly watching from heaven.  I have a feeling that our son was watching the action of those angels the other night, and giving glory to God for their swift and accurate response to Noah's cries for help.  I wonder just what that moment must have looked like from heaven's perspective? Someday we will see that bigger picture as he is seeing it now...but until then, we will continue to pray for our grandson's safety and protection, and pray that he will keep the Lord always first in his heart and soul and mind. May this experience draw him closer to the Lord. Amen.

It's "Demo Day" at our "Fixer Upper"

Someday I am going to start a new blog all about our "Fixer Upper"...with all the before and after pictures along the way.  Most them are already in here somewhere, but I'd like to be able to set them apart in one big file/blog so I can access them more easily...and also maybe we'll get our own TV Show when they see what all we've done!  Ha ha!!

Lately I've been watching a lot of the HGTV series of "Fixer Upper" with Chip and Joanna Gaines...and I must say I am totally in love with them both and their sweet little family.  Every time I watch their show, however, I start getting "ideas" for more projects at our personal "fixer upper" home...and then my hubby and my sons get a little nervous...and sometimes just plain disappear!   Can't say as I blame them...because usually Mom's ideas mean lots of work for them!

So, if you ever watch the "Fixer Upper" program on HGTV, you will know that Chip's favorite day is "Demo Day", the day when they tear down all of the old stuff and make way for the new.  There is just something about ripping out old walls, cabinets, carpet, floors, or whatever is in the way or in need of replacing that totally makes you feel great!  It's a great stress reliever...just grab a hammer and start pounding on some boards or ripping down an old fence for example...Well, let's start at the beginning and you will see why this fixer upper fence needed to be fixed!

(This is the Memorial Garden for our son, which is a part of the enclosed courtyard)

One of the features of our "fixer upper" home is the enclosed courtyard/backyard, which exists not only for privacy, but for the practical purpose of keeping out the bears

and other critters in our neck of the woods.

You've seen some pictures of this area throughout the years...we've made some improvements here and there, but the fence itself has been in need of a lot of work for quite a while.

And HERE are some pictures of the gate and front side of the fence, which help you to see 

why it needs to be replaced.  We decided to start with this section below, and will repair other sections a little at a time.  

So, last night our son brought home two sections of fence to replace this front section...and the gate will be built by hand. (By my son)

 So thankful for strong men to take care of these "deliveries"....above my two sons and hubby

And so today it was MY turn to get involved, besides just taking pictures!

"DEMO DAY"

I must be related distantly to Chip Gaines! Put a hammer in my hands and let me go to work.

I also couldn't help but think about our beloved former President Ronald Reagan,

when he said to Germany:

"TEAR DOWN THAT WALL!"

And then hubby wanted to get in on the action:

And suddenly there was a new view of our back yard appearing...

And we both stood back and said, 

"Gee, It's kind of pretty without the fence...maybe we shouldn't replace it...

But then again, we do love our privacy here...and the security of no 

bears or other wild critters in our immediate back yard..."

And so....this story is to be continued

Stay tuned for further developments.

Some thoughts about being in a safe place:

"He who dwells in the secret place of the 

Most High shall abide under the

shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord,

'He is my refuge and my fortress;

My God, in Him I will trust.'

Sure He shall deliver you from the snare of  the fowler

and from the perilous pestilence.

He shall cover you with His feathers,

And under His wings you shall take refuge;

His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,

Nor of the arrow that flies by day,

Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,

Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday."

Psalm 91:1-6

I know a fence is not a secure item to keep out the enemies of our home and/or souls...We need the security that only God can supply...

"He IS my refuge and my fortress; 

My God, in HIM I will trust!"

Amen!!!

And Goodnight!

Sleep Tight!

The Secret Garden Chronicles-Day 9- The Voice In The Garden

"I come to the garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses,

And the voice I hear,

falling on my ear,

The Son of God discloses,

Chorus:

And He walks with me,

and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,

And the melody that He gave to me,

Within my heart is ringing,

(Chorus)

I'd stay in the garden with Him

Tho' the night around me be falling,

But He bids me go;

Thro' the voice of woe

His voice to me is calling."

(Chorus)

(In The Garden by C. Austin Miles)

I love coming to the garden in the morning...but actually, the birds do not hush their singing at all--rather they are continuously calling out to one another--One calls from one side of the woods,

and another responds from somewhere way over on the other side of the woods.  It could be a mate calling to his mate, and she responds "Here I am", and he warns her that there may be an intruder in the garden...and soon it seems that their voices are coming from somewhere closer together...and then their song actually changes tune, and it seems as though they are happily reunited and all is well.

And I think about myself...and the Lord is calling out to me; "Pam, where are you?"  And I respond with, "Here I am, Lord."  And He draws closer to me as I listen to His voice...and He speaks to me in tones of great love and comfort.  He truly knows exactly what I need to hear at this very moment; and while I am sitting here, silently waiting, He whispers words of love in my ear.  He reminds me that I need not fear, no matter what is happening in the world around us...because He is always near...and He will never let me go!  However, I am not held captive, no, He actually wants me to realize that I am free to go, but He will always be with me wherever I go.

Hebrews 13:5-6 says:

5.  "Let your conduct be without covetousness,

Be content with such things as you have.

for He (God) Himself has said,

'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'

6.  So we may boldly say:

"The Lord is my helper.

I will not fear what man

can do to me."

I found verses 7-9 to be interesting as well:

7.  "Remember those who rule over you,

who have spoken the word of God to you,

whose faith follow

considering the outcome of their conduct.

8.  Jesus Christ is the same, 

yesterday, today, and forever!

9.  Do not be carried about 

with various and strange doctrines.  

For it is good that the heart

be established by GRACE,

not with foods which have not

profited those who have 

been occupied with them."

I'm not sure where all of this is heading today.  But, Lord, I'm listening to Your voice.

Perhaps this message is as much for someone else visiting here as it is for me...God knows....

Thank You, Jesus, for always being there for us--and for being changeless--

In this ever-changing world, it is a great comfort to know that You will NEVER leave us nor forsake us..and we do NOT need to fear what man or the things of this world can do to us.

We are SAFE in the palms of Your loving, protective hands.

We need to keep our eyes on YOU, Lord, and not on man or any man's ideology.

Thank You for bringing us here into Your Presence today, where we can hear Your voice,

and know that You will be with us, no matter what!

Praise God!

For a previous post from "In The Garden", which was written a couple of years ago, please click HERE.  This was written long before I ever dreamed of creating this lovely "Secret Garden", but the opening scene was taken from the very same spot, early in the morning.  And the roses are from my yard, but in another garden.  These pictures today are not roses, but are camellias, which are blooming now.  I love how God provides beauty all throughout the year, if we just take the time to "stop and smell the roses" around us...and listen for His Voice!

Random Journal Day: Safe in the Shepherd's Hand

Here we are back to another "Random Journal Day"... taking a walk back in time and peering into the thoughts from the past...and hopefully gleaning something positive from such a venture.  Some of my favorite blogging friends are doing the same thing....so perhaps you will take a peek at what they were thinking about years ago as well...

My trip back in time today goes to May 8, 2001. It was a Tuesday, according to my journal entry, and it was 11:17 a.m.  I always like to add the time and day to help me understand where my thinking was at the time.  Sometimes my thoughts were much clearer in the daytime than at night...but then again, not always necessarily so. I think the fact that this particular post was written in the middle of the day on a weekday means that I was still recuperating from an earlier surgery that year and had not yet gone back to work. That could explain some of my thoughts.  So here we go. Ready to get on the magic carpet ride back in time?

"My sheep hear My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.  NO ONE can take them out of My hand." John 10: 27-28 (Jesus speaking).

I really love today's devotional readings. (Note: I do not have the name of the devotional book written down) The title is, "Safe in Jesus' Hand".  The author, James McGinnis, says,

"Jesus is not a shepherd who leads from afar.  We're not following Him at a distance.  His hand is securely and lovingly holding on to our hand. What a sense of security this should give us! No matter how stormy or threatening the situation, Jesus is there holding us tightly in His hand."

"Thank you, Jesus, for walking with us, hand in hand, each day of our lives.  Keep us mindful of the bond we have and give us courage to follow wherever You lead, for You lead us to fullness of life."  Amen.

I went on to say:  These thoughts are very comforting to me today.

Psalm 28:7 ~ "The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him."

Psalm 27:14 ~ "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord."

We need to remember that whatever the circumstances in our lives~ "God is in control".  We can safely put our hand in His  hand.

In a later entry in the same journal, (six months later) I wrote the following:

"I just re-read the entries in this little book that I've written throughout this past year.  God was truly ministering to me during those days of convalescence from my surgery.  I see that I haven't written anything since going back to work in May! So much for goals and keeping up with writing! But I guess it has been all I could do over the past six months to keep up with house and home and work, let alone trying to write a book!  I really haven't had the physical energy--as well as the spiritual power--necessary to write all that was on my heart.  Looking back, I realize that I have been in a real emotional fog for most of this year.  I wish I could say that the fog has totally dissipated and I am walking fully in the sunlight at this time.  But I cannot honestly say that.  Each day seems to bring new challenges to my faith and mind.  There are days that I find myself wishing there was some means of "escape".  And yet, I know that is not what God would want for me.  I know I must persevere and remain faithful to His calling on my life.  To quit now would show a lack of trust and faith.

Lord, You know I believe, but help my unbelief.  I am only human, after all.  There are days that I fear that I will either lose my mind or my life~but then I remember that God is able to sustain me throughout all of my life~in all circumstances.  I need not fear what man may do to me~I am safe in the arms of Jesus.  He continues to carry me and protect me.  Praise God!! Jesus never fails!"

 Thankfully I did not lose my mind or my life...and God HAS sustained me through even harder days than those in the subsequent years.  He still continues to carry and protect me, much like that Good Shepherd...tightly holding on to my hand.  And I can still testify to His holding power...I AM safe in His arms. Praise God!! Truly, Jesus NEVER fails!  I hope that you have found this to be true in your life as well. If you are not sure of where you stand in Christ, take a moment to ask Him.  He will hear you...and He will give you the peace you are seeking. And that is a peace that lasts a lifetime, no matter what the circumstances. Try it and see for yourself! What do you have to lose?

Even Jesus had difficult days...in this picture, which is one of the several beautiful stained glass
windows in the church where I presently work, Jesus is praying to His Father, God Almighty, while in the
Garden of Gethsemane.  This was the night before His crucifixion. He had gone into
the garden to pray because He knew what was about to take place. And this is the prayer He prayed,
"Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done." (Luke 22:42)
When He finished His prayer and came out of the garden, Judas Iscariot betrayed Him with a kiss, 
and the rest is history. 
 He died for our transgressions. 
But the best part of the story is, three days later
He arose from the dead...and conquered death forever!
That is why I have hope and peace.
"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow!" (song, Bill Gaither)
I hope you have this same hope.