More From "Your Windows"
Cover photo: Sherrie’s 37-year old “window” view
?I recently shared my view on the world from “My Window” (Dec 28, 2020) asking God for guidance as to how I should live my life in 2021. I asked questions. And I wondered. What is God’s plan? Is there a plan? Do the choices I have made and the ones I have yet to make really matter? Is who I am in this powerful new season of life important to God? To others? If the answer is Yes, the question then becomes who shall I be and what shall I do in the years that remain?
In response to a look through “My Window,” many of you invited me to share the view from “Your Window” as well (Jan 04, 2021), views that were at times hopeful, difficult, longing, encouraging, intimate, searching and just plain inspiring. It’s been an honor to look with you through your “windows.” And they have kept coming. So here are a few more “Window” views from PERSPECTIVE readers. And remember, as we begin each new day, it’s important to start with a clean “window” (1 John 3:1-3). Old fingerprints can mar our vision.
Ward, thank you for the encouraging words. As my kids leave the nest and I am contemplating retirement in 2021, I find myself at a new crossroad in life, wondering how I can still be used by God. I need only look to the many people in the Bible who had some of their most impactful years in the last portion of their lives to know that God uses us in every stage of life. Thanks for setting the example. I’m so sorry to hear about Dixie. She was a Godly woman and a great example to those around her. I hope you are well and joyful in the midst of this pandemic. Keep walking the walk.
~Ray W
San Francisco Bay Area, California
Love the “My Window” blog. While not without challenges, 2020 has been a great year for sitting at the window before God and being still. I wouldn’t trade this year for anything. Of course, I still long for 2021 to be “normal” in all the good ways without losing sight of lessons learned in 2020. Happy New Year! May the Lord bless you greatly in 2021.
~Janine B
Washington
Very thought provoking message! Those have been my questions for some time. Thanks! May God make clear to each of us the purpose for our life this year.
~Shirley C
Georgia (I think?)
I too ask a question pretty much like yours and then I think God is in charge and I hope I am staying on the narrow path!!!! Happy New Year.
~Shirley K
Washington
These testimonies throw a lot of light through the open window. Thank you for sharing. When I look through the window, I would like to see the Lord rising up from the throne and coming down to the mid air and we, His bride, going up to meet with Him.
~K.V. S
Mumbai, India
The past year was difficult with an unforeseen fall causing a hairline fracture in my left knee, broken foot, surgery, and long slow ongoing recovery of right foot and ankle. Although my volunteer work is on hold since I still can't drive or walk without a walker, I see my main purpose still is sharing Jesus with my grandkids every chance I get. Got a brand new one to sing Jesus Loves Me to. God is good. A happy and blessed new year to you. Your blog is always inspiring.
~Valerie V
California
Thank you for your blog. I have a lovely view of the trees and the Sierra Mountains from my chair. If I stand I see the busy cars and people in the small shopping center across the street. Either view lets me know that God is still looking out after me. I'm a year behind you, Ward, and like you, my partner went to be with Jesus. The loss is hard but I know where he is and he is with Jesus walking, running and praising God. I know God isn't through with me yet. I'm still working 1 day a week as a bookkeeper at Faith Chapel. The other outreaches I was in have been all cancelled due to the pandemic. This holiday season was very difficult as Harrell went with the Lord on 9/8/2020, so my birthday on 9/13, Thanksgiving, Christmas, his birthday on 12/29 and New Year made for a very hard 4 months. God has provided all that I needed and He isn't through with me yet! As long as I breathe I will continue to praise Him! I didn't send Christmas Cards this year, as I understand many others didn't either. This "DON'T TOUCH" world to a touchy, feely person is really hard. The resolution for last New Year (2020) was "A year without fear." God has a great sense of humor!
~Lynn W
California
Ward, timely questions and poignant answers. My view may be delayed as I ponder, but will send it to you. May you experience the wonder of our God as never before!
~Brenda S
Texas
Hi Ward. Always a bright spot when I see you in my emails. I’ve included my e-mail Christmas card which was my window scene for 37 years. It says it all for us. Interesting being homeless (with options) at 74 but with an active 98 year old mother and 2 daughters with family on the Eastside and oldest daughter with Family in Florida. Lots of pulls and God has not opened the door to our next stop but has certainly opened our minds and is letting all the family members chew on some of our options. Waiting is the hardest part as God has chosen each of our homes and it was always “just right.” I know the path He chooses for us is never over until he says come home so I think this is a new start. I loved Dixie so much and enjoyed sharing women’s Ministry with her at Westminster, and you were always an inspiration from the pulpit. I’m glad we have this connection to continue our walks. Oh by the way, your dog is pretty smart. He shows that unconditional love with fur!
~Sherrie L
California
Ward, my window looked pretty bleak today. Each morning, I watch the sunrise creep northward, but today was cloudy—in body and spirit. Mondays are hard days every week, and today was no exception. HOWEVER, a friend sent a marvelous worship booklet from which I draw deep breaths. How’s this for today's God Word? “The dangers facing creation today are a wake-up call to us: Give God the glory. His hand can still hold back judgment. In HIs love He longs to show mercy. But He is waiting for us to turn to Him. He is waiting for your prayers—and mine.” (From Worship In His Presence” by M. Basilea Schlink) The view out our windows may depend totally on how clearly we can see the Lord God Almighty. Thanks, Ward, for your good words.
~Ellie G
Massachusetts
We follow you through your blog and continue to value and praise you are in our lives. Our window lately has been focused on taking care of Jeanetta's parents, Jeanetta completing her ThD, and delivering the sermon while our new Pastor was on post-Christmas vacation and keeping the Christian Writers Group going. We are both now retired and beginning to understand what those that have gone before us had in mine when they said that their lives have never been so busy.
~Keith and Jeanetta C
Missouri
Dear Ward. Thank you for your inspiring blogs. I read through all the comments that so resonated with me! I look through my window and wonder what is next for me … is this all there is? am I done? I have lived in Steinbach, Manitoba, for a year now, having moved from White Rock, BC, and very active in church and community there to being prevented from getting involved here because of Covid-19. I am 75 and feel young when I read the ‘older than I’ comments. Surely there is another stage for me!
~Tina P
Manitoba, Canada
Yes, Tina, et all, God has another ‘stage’ for us, one filled with meaning and purpose in Life’s Third Age (60+).
“See (through ‘Your Windows’ as you begin each new day) what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
May Jesus keep us close.