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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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June 26, 2018

A Family Emergency (of the bird variety)

One of my most favorite things to do this time of the year is to open up our windows and hear the birds chirping. Now, mind you, I don’t always enjoy hearing them REALLY early in the morning, but there is just something about their chirping that is so distinctively and cheerfully symbolic of these warmer days.

Recently, though, we began to notice more activity than usual. Our snowball tree was the object of great interest by two particular birds. They were flying in and out all day and we had no doubt about what was happening.

Sure enough, within a few days, a beautiful nest had taken shape. And soon after that, the mama robin could be seen perched upon the nest. When we would get close to the tree, she would be so very still. Hyper aware of our movements and so protective of her babies.

It became part of our daily ritual to check on the nest. We were always careful to keep our distance but we were just so anxious for the impending arrival of new life.

Then, one day, after my son had mowed the lawn he came into the house and said he was pretty sure that the eggs had hatched. The mama wasn’t there and he was certain he had seen the nest moving.

We all raced outside to confirm his suspicions and, sure enough, the little nest was moving and shaking. We smiled and quietly celebrated as though it was a new member of our own family.

The next afternoon I began to notice that there was quite a bit more squawking happening than usual. At first, I just thought that the robins were happily enjoying their new baby but then I began to observe a lot of activity in the tree. Birds of all different varieties were flying in and out of the tree and the robins were doing their best to keep them away from their precious nest. I watched as one of the robins chased a turtledove out of the tree following after it until it flew out of the yard.

And then, in an instant, it happened. What looked like a full-on bird brawl broke out among the tree branches. Mama and papa robin were flying around and squawking like crazy and in the blink of an eye, their tiny baby bird fell out of the tree just as a giant blue jay made his appearance. My daughter and I quickly ran outside (we had been observing all of this from the safety of the house) to check on the baby. The blue jay (rightfully intimidated by us) wisely fled the scene but mama and papa were loudly and wildly expressing their concern. The tiny peeps from the baby let us know that, thankfully, it was still alive.

By now, my husband and son had joined us outside. We were frantically trying to figure out what to do, mama and papa robin were frantically tweeting at us and getting ready to dive bomb our heads if necessary and it was just general mayhem there for a few moments. A quick search of the interwebs revealed that it was, in fact, a myth that you aren’t supposed to put birds back in the nest after they fall out so off to the garage went my husband to get a ladder while the rest of us stood guard over the baby. With gloves on his hands, my husband gently picked up the baby and my son and I held the ladder in place against the tree so he could climb up to the nest. My daughter waved her arms wildly at the parents to keep them from attacking her daddy as he attempted this rescue.

As soon as the little bird was back in the nest we hurried inside and observed the robins quickly flying home to their baby. It struck me that while we were in fact helping them, we had appeared as dangerous to them as that mean old blue jay.

And I couldn’t help but think about all of those times in our lives when God’s sovereign hand of love and protection feels like anything but.

In those moments when the disappointment or hurt or fear feel so completely overwhelming and you can’t understand how THIS thing you are going through could be part of God’s plan for your life.

How do we trust that what looks so bad can ever be good?

The mama and papa bird were only able to see and experience what was happening right in front of them. Their baby was in trouble. But we knew that the end result was going to be better. The baby was going to be safely returned to it’s nest. We couldn’t guarantee it wouldn’t happen again, but we could help in that moment.

It seems to me that it’s in the middle of it all, when we can’t see beyond the circumstances, we begin to doubt God’s goodness. And when protection takes the shape of something else…something scary…something hard…something disappointing, we don’t recognize it. Because, in our minds, protection should always look like something safe.

But we were never promised safety.

What we were promised was the strong, mighty hands of our Father carrying us through our times of trouble.

 “The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

I can look back at so many times in my own life when the circumstances that seemed so hard in the moment turned out to be God protecting me from something even worse.

What about you? I’d love to hear your stories of experiencing God’s hand of protection!

Thank you for meeting me here today dear friends,

 

 

 

21 Comments Filed Under: Devotionals, Faith, Good Thoughts

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Comments

  1. Debbie S. says

    June 26, 2018 at 2:32 PM

    Love this post. Thank you for reminding me that some of the most difficult times are when He is watching over us the most.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 27, 2018 at 7:55 AM

      Thank you Debbie!

      Reply
  2. Freida says

    June 26, 2018 at 2:50 PM

    I’m usually not one who takes the time to leave a comment, but this post was just the reminder I needed today of His love and protection! Perfect timing! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 26, 2018 at 4:34 PM

      Oh I’m so glad it was timely for you Freida! Thank you for leaving a comment and for being apart of our community. 🙂

      Reply
      • Freida says

        June 26, 2018 at 7:37 PM

        I’d love to comment on every post because they are all so inspiring, but I had to be taken off my arthritis meds which has made things quite uncomfortable. But please know I read and love each one! ❤️

        Reply
        • At The Picket Fence says

          June 26, 2018 at 7:45 PM

          Oh I’m SO sorry to hear about your arthritis Freida and the pain you are experiencing! Just knowing you are reading the posts and enjoying them even if you are unable to comment means the world to me. Praying for relief for you! <3

          Reply
  3. Miss Kitty says

    June 26, 2018 at 3:50 PM

    Oh what a great story….and a great reminder for us to trust the Lord…thanks for sharing that!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 27, 2018 at 7:55 AM

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  4. Lin Mossgrove says

    June 26, 2018 at 4:37 PM

    Thank you so much for posting this. Could not have come at a better time in my life/day!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 27, 2018 at 7:55 AM

      I’m so glad it came at just the right time Lin!

      Reply
  5. MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!) says

    June 26, 2018 at 6:22 PM

    Thanks for a wonderful post, Vanessa! I really enjoyed the verse in Zephaniah 3:17 and have written it out and put it in a holder on my kitchen window. How wonderful to know that God will quiet us with His love! Awesome! Blessings!

    Also, bless you all for helping out that little baby robin! You all did what your heart told you to do! God was happy, too, to see you helping His creation — that little bird! Bless you all!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 27, 2018 at 7:54 AM

      Isn’t that such a great verse Mary-Ann? So glad you enjoyed it and that you stopped by today. Blessings to you friend! ~ Vanessa

      Reply
  6. LeAnne says

    June 26, 2018 at 7:14 PM

    What a wonderful story….and a wonderful analogy. You’re right…sometimes it feels like we are flying solo through our trials, but how comforting it is to know our God is right there with us!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 27, 2018 at 7:53 AM

      Thank you so much LeAnne!

      Reply
  7. Patty says

    June 27, 2018 at 5:35 AM

    Thanks so much for this sweet post, Vanessa, it brought tears to my eyes – God is Good! We have birds, chipmunks, squirrels, and bunnies around our house and they bring such joy – watching them play, eat, build their nests, and show us their babies! The verse was especially needed today. I’m so glad you took the time to share it with us! 🙂

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 27, 2018 at 7:53 AM

      Thank you so much Patty!

      Reply
  8. Diane says

    June 27, 2018 at 6:09 AM

    This is such a great story and illustration of our Father’s love for us. It’s so true, too. We have gone through years of great struggle and challenge, yet, our Lord has been constant with his love and presence.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 27, 2018 at 7:53 AM

      He really is so constant isn’t He Diane? Thank you so much for stopping by!

      Reply
  9. Margaret says

    June 27, 2018 at 10:40 AM

    Your story was a really good illustration of God’s protection and provision.
    Thank you.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 27, 2018 at 11:48 AM

      Thank you so much Margaret!

      Reply
  10. Connie Brown says

    June 27, 2018 at 10:35 PM

    Through God’s divine Grace and Mercy He has carried me through colon cancer 3 times since 2013.

    Reply

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I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consumin I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consuming seasonal decorating. When I think back on the years where I would feel all of the pressure to come up with something fresh and creative I’m seriously embarrassed. Truly. Because it was such a waste. A waste of my time, my energy, my resources. Something clicked with me a few years ago. I was just done. I needed to simplify. I needed to not spend an obscene amount of time looking at fireplace mantels on Pinterest and trying to figure out how to make mine look amazing. I needed to put it all in the proper place in my heart and my mind. Which meant, it had to go waaaaayyyy down on the priority list. So far down it almost wasn’t on it. And I needed to confess to the Lord that I had allowed it to become an idol. 

Yes, I want to have a home that I enjoy. Yes, I love pretty things. But something really amazing happened when I finally released it all. When I decided to not give into the pressure and panic I would feel when I would scroll through my Instagram feed. When I just laid it all down and said…enough. There was this incredible irony in it. Because, the less time I took to decorate my home for each season, the more I found myself loving the results. I think that all along I had just been getting in my own way. It’s really taken a lot of time and prayer for me to finally be at a place where even though I still struggle with insecurities and I still have doubts from time to time, I’m becoming increasingly more confident in who God created me to be. And, just like my home, I’m finding that as I relax into myself, letting go of the comparisons and the pressure, the more I can actually lean into the calling He has placed on my life. 🍂

Leave a comment if you can relate! 

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking
“As the alluring song of September begins to whi “As the alluring song of September begins to whisper in my ear, my passionate spirit yearns for the splendor of its promise.” (Peggy Toney Horton)

Happy September dear friends! While I’m not quite ready to let go of summer and I plan to make the most out of the lingering, warm days, I’ll admit to starting to think about my fall decor this year. And one way to get inspired is to take a look back at previous years. Here’s just a glimpse at some of the ways I’ve welcomed Autumn to my home! 🍂

#september #falldecorating #falldecor #falldecoratingideas #wearethehomemakers
Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning the corner and getting closer to fall but I’m not quite ready to let summer go. So I’ll just be over here continuing to whip up some super simple summer meals for my family that frankly can be enjoyed in any season. These shrimp rolls I made the other night were definitely a hit and would be great for any of your upcoming holiday weekend gatherings!

Shrimp Rolls 🍤

Ingredients
1-2 lbs of shrimp that is peeled, deveined and tail off (If using frozen make sure it’s thawed completely)
1/3 cup mayonnaise 
1/2 of a lemon
2 Tbsps chopped scallions
1 Tbsp chopped dill
1 Tbsp chopped Italian parsley
1 Tsp of Old Bay seasoning (more if you like!)
pinch of sea salt and pinch of black pepper
Hoagie Rolls
Softened butter

Directions: Gently pat the shrimp with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Roughly chop the shrimp and place in a bowl. Add mayonnaise, squeeze half of lemon and stir to combine before adding in the scallions, dill and parsley. Stir to combine and then add the additional seasonings. Spread butter on hoagie rolls and toast in the oven until lightly browned. Pile on the shrimp mixture and enjoy! 

#shrimproll #foodie #weeknightdinner #easydinner #seafoodlover
Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. W Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. We woke up to the sound of chainsaws and rushed downstairs to find that our backyard neighbors were having two of the huge trees that line our shared fence removed. These trees have been here longer than the neighborhood and no, they weren't dead or causing damage to roofs, foundations, etc. They were beautiful and gave us wonderful privacy. We had no notice of this happening so this came as quite a shock. Because we were given no notice, we didn't have the chance to cover our outdoor furniture or plants and everything is now coated in a thick layer of sawdust including the fresh bark we recently put in the garden beds. And now our lovely privacy is gone, replaced by a direct view of an above ground pool and RV. I know, I know, it's totally a first world, privileged kind of problem to have. But, now we have to spend thousands of dollars on plants to try and recapture some semblance of privacy. Now we have days worth of clean up to do after we had JUST done a massive freshening up of our backyard. My overarching feeling has just been weariness at the way our world is today.

I think about how often we try to do right by people, to be respectful and courteous. To be thoughtful and considerate. And it’s not reciprocated. How its starting to seem more and more like people have just given up on those seemingly small niceties. And my soul just feels heavy. Because I feel like so much of what used to be common courtesy is not so common anymore. Drivers on the roads are angrier and more reckless than ever before. Red lights being run are an everyday occurrence around town. On our recent family vacation, I heard more people using the F word out in public than ever before even while around children. Where are manners? Where is kindness? I'm finding myself being surprised when someone is thoughtful because it seems like a rarity. And that's just all on a micro, local level. Don't even get me started on the insanity in our world/culture. After I returned from grocery shopping (which can also be soul crushing), I found myself desperate for a reminder of the truth. 

*Part 2 continued in the comments.*
How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully grasp our strengths or our weaknesses until we are put to the test? Little did I know how much I would love my role as a wife, mother and homemaker until I became one. And that in my endeavor to do those roles to the best of my ability, it would bring to the forefront gifts and talents and blessings that I use outside of these walls.

As I water others, I’m watered too because it brings such joy to care for those around me. But it can also make me see more clearly the areas in which I’m lacking and be a very humbling reminder of how much I still need to grow and learn.

Proverbs 11:25 says, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Have you done any ‘watering’ of others this week? How has it blessed and ‘watered’ you in return?
“Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you “Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you make.” Statements like this from my kids fill me with so much joy and such a sense of assurance that my role as the maker of this home is one that makes an impact on them in both big and small ways. It’s not just sheet pan shrimp boil. 

It’s nourishment
It’s time together around the table
It’s laughing as we try to get the butter sauce out of the pan
It’s a memory
It’s an imprint on their lives 

The ordinary act of making a meal becomes EXTRAordinary. And I try to keep that in mind as I do this task day in and day out, year after year. 

***

Ingredients: 
1 pound baby red or yellow potatoes
Green beans or corn (4 ears cut in half) whichever you prefer
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
1/2 tsp coarse sea salt and pinch of black pepper 
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 (12.8-ounce) package smoked andouille sausage, thinly sliced
Crusty bread for dipping 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook potatoes until just tender, about 10 minutes. Put potatoes, shrimp, sausage and green beans or corn on baking sheet. Pour butter over top. Sprinkle with old bay seasoning and salt and pepper. Mix well to combine. Bake for about 12 minutes or until shrimp is pink. 

#shrimpboil #sheetpandinner #sheetpanmeals #homemaking
Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and lig Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and light cocktails! My husband is my own built in bartender and he put this together the other night. 

2 jiggers of gin (you could also use vodka) 
*you should do a jig when using a jigger 😉*
Crushed ice 
Grapefruit tonic 
Squirt of lime 
Sprig of mint 

Easy and so refreshing!! ☀️

#cocktails #summercocktails
There is something magical about the late summer e There is something magical about the late summer evenings. Maybe it’s because we have a greater sense of the fact that these long days are slowly shortening and we want to savor them as much as we can. I know I intend to do just that. 

I hope you’re having a wonderful August so far dear friends!
Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our hou Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our house all summer long. We’re big on the ‘build your own’ method of making dinner especially on very hot days. Simplicity for the win! 
#recipes #easydinner #easydinnerideas #homemaking
In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grou In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grouping of beats. No matter what else a piece of music has in terms of its pitch or tone, the rhythm never changes. Its the stabilizing force and brings order to a composition that would be completely chaotic without it.

The same can be said of rhythms in our lives and in our homes. When everything else feels out of control, rhythms and patterns provide us with stability and something that we can rely upon to give us a sense of security in a very insecure world. But, too often, we associate the rhythmic things we do in our lives as merely tasks to be gotten through rather than gifts which provide much-needed balance.

Whether it’s making the coffee every night before we go to bed or doing my devotional in the morning before the rest of the house wakes up or watering my garden, these simple tasks provide a rhythm to my day that is truly grounding. 

What’s something that you do that you would classify as a rhythm or pattern in your week?
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