Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Sharing the Shelter and Giveaway

Let us pray for each other, for this is the best way to love one another. ~Mother Teresa



Sometimes I need to stop and be thankful for the many ways I have been sheltered. The last couple weeks have just been crazy.  No tragedies or big problems, just life. When you have one daughter in college with project deadlines and a husband working on a doctorate with deadlines (simultaneous courses), a clogged water drain in the laundry room (which means the water softener has to be shut off – thus orange well water is plentiful), a raised sugar level, funeral for RB to play for and car repairs, well, sometimes you just have to laugh -- or cry.  

I just love how God has people, right in the "you've got to be kidding" stage to encourage us.  Of course my sweet son-in-law spent a couple hours trying to unclog my drain, friends invited us to dinner, other caring friends encouraged me with hugs and messages and other various ways without knowing life was making me tired!  

And then I found a message in my Facebook inbox for RB and me.  An old friend -- lots of twists and turns -- and yes, life happening in the meantime.

I just wanted to send a quick note to say that over the last couple days you have, out of the blue, been on my mind. Have no idea why, but I am taking it as being the Lord. So...I just wanted to let you both know I have been praying for you.


It humbled me that God would show His love in an unexpected way.  Tears are rolling down my face as I sit here pondering the ways of God.  I am such a spoiled child.  My Heavenly Father knows my husband's and my heart.  And He finds a WILLING servant to do His sheltering. 

Then today in my car the cd I always listen to was playing:

It may be my Mother, it might be my Dad,
Or an old friend I've forgot I had,
But whoever it is, I'm so glad that
Somebody's praying me through;
Somebody's praying me through.

Through the tears, through the rain,
Through the sorrow, through the pain
It keeps bringing me through
Over and over again;
Somebody's praying me through. (Allen Asbury)

Who has God placed on your heart this week?  Let's be God's servants.  Someone has rain pelting their exposed heart, they are grieving, struggling along, going through pain.  I want to be quick to respond, to pray, to give verbal hugs, to shelter -- and I know you do, too.  

Sharing the Shelter


Do you have a recipe, craft or sewing project, a blog post sure to encourage us, or other sheltering idea you’d like to share? Link up and enjoy the ideas. I like keeping the rules simple:

  • Grab my button or leave a text link-back 
  • Visit the two blogs before yours 
  • Shelter someone!

Giveaway
Everyone is welcome to leave a comment to be 
entered in the drawing next Tuesday.

Sarah from For the Beauty of the Earth won the Fox Run Cookie Cutter Set and Chef Hat.

This week's giveaway is a "Praying for You" set:

Stick with Me Notes
Tear out a page, and stick the self-adhesive message in a locker, on a coworker’s desk, on a bathroom mirror, in a greeting card.


Tomas Kinkade 
12 Praying for you cards


Book to Give: I Prayed for You Today
Padded gift book with artwork from Audrey Jeanne Roberts, 
includes spirit-lifting words of inspiration and beauty on each page


Linked to:









20 comments:

Shannon Wallace said...

Yes, I love how God nudges our friends, and they listen to His call to pray for us! That often happens to me when I need prayer, and likewise when God nudges me to pray for someone else, or to send them some snail mail love. :)

Connie Nelson said...

Thanks for hosting!

Vilisi said...

I love what you've shared here. It warms my heart as I've often been blessed by the prayers of Christian brothers and sisters.On my part I've learnt to pay attention (pause to pray) when I get a nudge, when someone keeps popping into my mind. I love God's family network. :)
Blessings,
Vilisi

Amrita said...

hi Pamela, lovely to read this encouraging post. Yes I believe praying for each other unifies us and gives us strength and comfort

chica said...

Muito lindo te ler e adorei a oração que sempre faz bem! beijos,chica

Elizabethd said...

It is wonderful to see how God brings us through the everyday trials...with the help of our friends!

Maryann said...

I cannot tell you how many times that has happened to me. The Lord will put someone on my heart to pray for then later I would hear about what was happening in their life at the time I was prompted to pray...it's a real faith builder and evidence of God's kindness in our lives

Beth said...

This is a beautiful post!!

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Sometimes I will be having a wonderful few days and realize it is because somebody must be praying for me ... I can physically feel the effects.

I pray throughout the day for the needs of my friends and family. I pray for our country, and I am sending lots of prayers for Sandy victims. There is a lot of anger and hatred in America right now.

God bless you, Pamela. Your, posts are always uplifting.

Pam said...

What a lovely post--thank you for sharing it so beautifully. And thank you also for the encouraging words at my blog while I was taking a time out!

Laurie Collett said...

It is truly a blessing to know that others are praying for us, and to have God lay someone's name on your heart for prayer, only to hear later that they really needed it at that particular time. Thanks for the great post, giveaway, & hosting, & God bless!

Esther Asbury said...

Glad for my friends who "pick me up" when life "pushes me down!"

Michell Pulliam said...

Hi Pamela! Dropping by to say hello and thanks for the follow...definitely following you back! Don't you just love how God is always mindful of us? I love Him so! Thanks for the reminder! have a blessed week! ;-)

SunnyToast said...

Eveytime i visit your blog it gives me strength to face my problems:) thank for sharing your wonderful words:)

KLC's Weightloss Journey said...

I love this thought. I love the song too! So blessed by your words.....always. :)
Krista

Brenda Lazzaro Yoder, said...

Pamela, what a beautiful site you have. I can identify with the busyness - I was finishing my Masters as my daughter left for college and life with three other children at home. Finding time to be a shelter to others is often through the simplest things. Thanks for stopping by Life Beyond the Picket Fence!

Anonymous said...

A beautiful post of God's love. I wish you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving, Pamela.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Isn't it wonderful the way God puts people in our thoughts, and we know I has to be Him, and that we need to pray for them. God is good!

I hope things sooth out for your quickly. It is good to read how God has blessed you.

:)Hope

LeAnn said...

What a lovely post. You are so right it is awesome when a prayer is answered through another person. I know that is how the Lord works. I try hard to act when I feel I am prompted. I don't always do it; but I try. I loved this post and could relate to all your thoughts.
I have had days similar to yours and it is amazing how help comes.
Blessings to you and have a Wonderful Thanksgiving celebraton.

Kelly said...

The power of prayer blows my mind. I've been contemplating it a lot lately, and this post couldn't have fit better with what I've been mulling over. Praying for others is such a gift to both the recipient and the one offering up the prayers. Thanks for following God's call to shelter others with your encouragement. He certainly uses you to encourage me in my own life.