Night whispers its presence as soft kiss of dusk and sunset’s flame fanfare yield to a falling curtain. Each slide toward dark’s velvet covering begins to conceal day’s warmth and light, suggesting we’re safer staying inside.
Comfort and coziness is found more indoors on these chilly autumnal days as we seek warmth and shelter, try to relax body and mind, unwind from a day’s busyness, crave peace and rest. Though I like to leave curtains open as long as possible as I watch gradual invasion of night swallow up the view, and savour every last chink of light peeking through.
Every shadowy silhouette reflects how even the known, the all too familiar can become draped in mystery. We see so little when we really think about it. Noticing can become dull and senses dim when we are stuck in a rut of finite everyday-ordinary and fail to lift the eyes of our heart toward the infinite.
Inky blanket
Night wraps her inky blanket
softly round a darkening world
She steals the light we move within
then proffers silver smattering
of stars that glitter jewel-bright
Displayed at their finest now
enshrouded as they are by
this murky midnight-blue sky
©JoyLenton2016
Glory moments can be found when we stretch our souls to hear their sound, begin to truly listen to what our lives and the world around are saying to us. And when we switch off from preoccupation and busyness, we soon discover that silence is full of noise, because a world on constant hum of readiness is continually speaking to us.
I also hear the continual thrum of tinnitus in my ears, a sound I tend to want to drown out with an alternative. Sometimes we hear our own heartbeat or breathing when we still enough to listen, pause for our next breath in the midst of activity or prayer.
God is always offering us an invitation to listen, to hear holy heartbeats, sense sacred echoes in the everyday. Joy is made manifest in His presence, because night is as day to God; there is light and life in abundance, more than enough to refuel and refresh weary souls.
“You have shown me the path to life, and you make me glad by being near me. Sitting at your right side, I will always be joyful” ~ Psalm 16:11 CEV
It doesn’t matter when or how we come, the important thing is to answer the call. God waits with infinite patience, but it is to our own detriment if we fail to find time to be with Him.
Sometimes these daily slowing down periods which night reveals are all the reminder we need of life’s short span, of all that fights for and consumes our attention in the daily grind. They also speak of just how much we need the stabilising power of joy that only God can provide.
Welcome to #day3 of 31 days of journeying into joy. It’s good to have your company!
How are you hearing creation speaking to you, or sensing sacred echoes best? Do share in the comments below.
Poetry Joy 
Joy, the more I read your words, the more I know we are kindred spirits. Your poem is beautiful! I also love the keep the curtains open at night just watching the sky. If I had my way I’d keep the bedroom curtains open all night just so I could look out at the stars and the silhouettes of the trees….
Many blessings to you! So good to be on this 31 day journey with you.
Gayl, I feel blessed to be considered kindreds with you! if I lived out of the city, or didn’t have a bright street light shining right outside the bedroom window, then I, too, would be seriously tempted to keep the curtains open, indulge in a bit of star, tree and moon gazing whenever I wake in the night. Bless you for brightening up my day with your lovely comments here! I’m so thankful for your company. xo
Joy, these are such heart-opening thoughts: “Every shadowy silhouette reflects how even the known, the all too familiar can become draped in mystery. We see so little when we really think about it.” And then to read your poem and feel the beauty that can be contained in the night time, helps me to want to shift my focus and find God’s beauty in the dark times too! Thank you for these thoughts today! Love this unique perspective to Journey into Joy that you are offering here!
Bettie, I love your focus and the way you ‘see’ so much within the words I share. It’s a lovely gift of grace to have a friend like you with such intuitive understanding of the work God is doing in and through me. My perspective varies each day according to how I am inspired. I’m so glad it is speaking to you! ❤
Reblogged this on Michael Moore's Blog and commented:
A blessing from Joy…
Michael, you bless me each time you stop by. Thank you for reading and sharing my words! 😊
Joy, loved this post. Holy heartbeats…love that too. And so much THIS: “Night whispers its presence as soft kiss of dusk and sunset’s flame fanfare yield to a falling curtain.”
Tara, you are a wordsmith, word wrangler, word appreciator, and I do believe a poet at heart. You always pick out salient lines to mull over – very much a woman after my own heart! So blessed you are here, friend. xo 💜
As always, I love this, Joy. This especially strengthens my heart today – “Joy is made manifest in His presence, because night is as day to God; there is light and life in abundance, more than enough to refuel and refresh weary souls.” Thank you. I’ve been reading your 31 days posts, but I won’t be able to comment on all of them. Just know that I am always blessed by them and you’re in my prayers! Hugs!
Trudy, I so appreciate any time when you can stop by. Commenting isn’t mandatory at all. Please don’t feel you have to worry about it, or even read every post this month. As I usually write more on a weekly rather than a daily basis, it can get a bit overwhelming for regular readers trying to keep up! It’s lovely to hear from you whenever you have time, health and energy to spare, my friend, but there’s no pressure whatsoever, okay? Love you being here, sweet friend. Hugs! xo ❤
Absolutely breathtaking!