Nothing else speaks quite so powerfully to us of the Father's love for us than the story of the prodigal son. Here we see scandalous grace in action. Here we find hope of being welcomed, loved, accepted and forgiven by God. This is an excerpt from my poem about the prodigal son. You can read the full poem below and catch up with my Art of Advent thoughts on my wordsofjoy.me blog this week.
The prodigal son
The father stoops to comfort, to welcome
home his lost and errant son.
No rebuke. No reproach.
Only a ring on the finger,
a sizzling roast dinner
and a fresh set of clothes.
This prodigal had strayed, lost
his way and lost himself
to baser things.
Turned his back, then turned
full circle to return again.
He came home as one who has seen
the seedy side of life,
the degradations of squandering
his inheritance, his wealth,
his soul on loose living.
He came with shame, humiliated
by his own behaviour,
by the state he was in,
expecting to be treated as he thought
he deserved,
but met with mercy instead.
More than that, he encountered open
arms and open heart, a warm
embrace, tears, forgiveness, grace,
acceptance, a kneeling father pouring
out nothing but love.
We are prodigals, stray sheep
who have wandered off
and squandered the gifts our God
has lavished on us,
without a thought.
Yet he receives us all, comes running
barefoot in our souls, in his haste
to comfort, not to scold.
And to hold us close, this child he’s
lost and esteems as precious
and dearly beloved.
© joylenton
#artofadvent #Advent #prodigalson #Godlovesyou #beloved #mercy #forgiveness #poetry #hope #faith #wordsofjoy
Sometimes we have to look closer than before to see the intrigue and subtlety of ordinary things. They wait for our silent attention, knowing the gifts they bring can only be found in being less preoccupied with life's incessant demands. It doesn't take long. A moment or two. A small pause to ponder, and aim a camera, perhaps. But more importantly, to focus our souls on the living glory before us and give thanks for the art of seeing beyond the swift, casual glance. Then we might notice the beauty God hides in plain sight.
Moss
mini green trees
moisture filled clumps clinging
hard to rock
a thriving colony
a carpet of living moss
© joylenton
#moss #minitrees #contemplativephotography #seeing #holyordinary #gratitude #grace #tankapoetry #poetsofinstagram
Simplifying can become a way of life, not just an attempt to curb Christmas excess. Because we're saturated with stuff and causing harm to the natural world in the name of progress. I'm but a mere beginner at minimalising and learning to live with less, but I still plan to do more and hopefully raise awareness as well. My poetic lament below was written in response to these all too real concerns.
Lament for earth
If the sky cries out
in sympathy
with dry, dusty earth
and sheds hot, salty tears,
then wake me up,
I want to be aware.
Let me not miss
a thing of earth’s
dying gasps,
be it by flood
or fire,
because I want to
cry with her.
Let us all weep now
for our carelessness,
our lack of faithful
caretaking and love,
our inability to take
good care
of our Mother Earth.
We have been
bad custodians,
errant prodigals
and wasteful ones,
who now reap
the cost for our sad
faithlessness,
while we watch its fast
decay and death.
© joylenton
#lament #simplify #minimalism #caring #planetearth #poetryforthesoul #poetryjoy #poetsofinstagram
