Life can get so busy we forget how to rest and relax fully.
Weighed down by stress and strain, it can be hard to really let go, to allow our souls to relinquish their tight grip on the daily grind.
Even during Sabbath our minds can be so preoccupied with the minutiae of mundanity that we sink beneath its weight.
Perhaps we can learn a lesson from the natural world around us.
Plants and flowers are dependent on the provision of daily nutrients, balance in temperature, ambient surroundings and conditions for growth and fruition.
They seem to do nothing much for a while then we see life springing forth where all seemed dormant before.
It is the closing down season for many plants and trees as Autumn winds blow chill, fall must come, and a dying back occurs.
Even as that process is happening around us, we can be cheered by the prospect of new life and growth to come out of dead matter.
Maybe it’s a season in your life too where God is asking you to rest, be still for a while, lay fallow.
Maybe you are restless to see green shoots appearing and all looks bleak and barren.
Be reassured that God hasn’t forgotten you.
God does His best work in the long, slow dark places of our lives as our hearts are made heavy with longing for Him.
This apparent laying aside or closing down is to ready you and make way for abundant life to come – at just the right time.
Unfolding
Purpose unfolding
as petals unfurl
to the sun
welcoming its rays
absorbing heat and light
so are our days
opening anew
pregnant with possibility
radiantly bright
with God’s promises
raining down
refreshing dew-drops
of His grace
to sustain the weary
poured out nectar
that feeds us
sustenance to embrace
for days cold and dreary
knowing there is always
more than enough
for everyone
©JoyLenton2013
No matter what season we may be in, God’s love pours out as continual draught of sunshine into our souls.
We can bask in the light of His presence.
Enjoy the outpouring of grace and mercy.
Rest in His peace.
When shadows loom large, we can comfort ourselves by remembrance of His goodness and provision unfolding for each new day.
Day 3 of the 31 day challenge of #poetryforthesoul
Stay tuned for more to come
And do let me know which ones you like best as they may end up in a future anthology
Poetry Joy 
Thank you Joy, for this inspirational encouragement!
Daily routines ~ battles of life can overtake us, leaving us off balanced with rest. These words spoke to me ..”Even during Sabbath our minds can be so preoccupied” The battle of the mind is and will be ongoing until we reach our heavenly home. Your writing today was a breastplate of hope and positivity! Blessings Joy on your life and your writing. 🙂 xx
I think I need to repeat your opening sentence right back at you, Kathy! You are such an unfailing support and encouragement to me and to so many other writers/poets. It is both wonderful and humbling to think how God takes the bread of our words and makes them manna for other souls. Blessings for inspiring me too, my friend. 🙂 xx
Thank you, Joy. Waiting on God doesn’t come easily for me. I want to DO something, to MAKE something happen. And I need reminded to be still, to rest, to wait on God. That’s where you come in! I appreciate the beautiful reminder.
Neil, it is hard for all of us to wait on God. I’m an impatient pilgrim too! By trial and error I am gradually learning to rest in Him and rest on His word. Maybe my still lifestyle helps me to adapt to that better than I used to. Thank you so much for stopping by to leave a comment.
Beautiful words that speak deep truth, Joy. Your words encouraged my soul today and I know that many others will be blessed by them.
Thank you, Sharon! Please feel free to share as you see fit. I’m doing a daily post (God willing) for the rest of the month and I aim to share more #poetryforthesoul Blessings to you too.
These are wonderful devotional type of post, introspection is so vital! Wonderful writing ! Faithfully Debbie
Thank you so much, Debbie, for your lovely encouraging comment! These began as an idea to share 31 days of #poetryforthesoul and seem to have morphed into poetic devotionals. In God’s hands our words are woven into far more than we ever dreamed of or intended. And your thoughts shared here echo another’s to me. I am beginning to wonder if devotional writing is a direction God may be leading me into for the future. Watch this space! Blessings xx