Springtime makes our souls come alive on the inside, unfurling like flowers to sun’s warmth. It helps to fuel the creative, poetic flame and encourages us to look for the light at the edges of everything.
We’re more willing to believe in resurrection when we witness it in earth’s cycles, in new life springing up before us. Somehow, such visible signs help to point us in a more positive direction, nudge us out of our former complacency and ready us for change.
These weeks of walking toward Easter can feel long, lifeless, depleted and dark, if we focus most on our loss, the giving up and denial inherent in this season, and as we anticipate Christ’s needful work on the cross.
We can tend to forget to rejoice in the small signs of wonder unfolding before us, those seemingly tiny glimpses of grace we experience each day. Yet they lead to the greatest rejoicing of all on Resurrection Sunday, and are intended to bring us joy in the here and now.
Inspiration can come from many quarters, including enjoying a world waking up from winter dormancy and God breathing new life into us each day. I am so thankful for words to write, friends to connect with, people to love and family to cherish. These things, alongside God’s continual love and care, help to restore hope and strengthen my heart. They have also shaped my poetic thoughts today… I pray they will speak to you as you read them.
Refreshes like dew
God’s mercy springs whole
watering our souls, like dew
refreshes, makes new
©joylenton2017
Light as lambs
Hope is springing—light
as lambs dance on grass—making
the day feel fresh, bright
©joylenton2017
An eternal spring
An eternal spring
rises afresh in our hearts
as God imparts love
©joylenton2017
Joining in at the eleventh hour with Poet Master Ronovan’s weekly haiku challenge. Just click here to join me there and read the great posts being shared on the theme of ‘Spring&Fresh’.
Poetry Joy 
I don’t think it’s by accident that spring coincides with the ascent to the cross. God always offers us hope in the darkness. Beautiful offerings today, my friend. Light and full of HOPE. Blessings on your weekend!
I agree, June, spring does seem such an apt season for “the ascent to the cross” and resurrection awakening to come. New life surrounds us as a glorious, visible reminder! I’m so glad you found light and HOPE here, my friend, and I hope your weekend was blessed with both. 🙂 xo
Dear Joy,
I love your Haiku and the beautiful artistic images you have created! But oh, how much I want my soul to know:
“God’s mercy springs whole
watering our souls, like dew
refreshes, makes new”
He is so good to give us these pictures in the Season’s changes, but how easy it is to overlook it! And then, I am left with those dreary days you have described so well. Even just to enjoy our families, and those little grandbabies playing and leaping like those little lambs, brings a fresh taste of mercy too, doesn’t it? I pray that you can have moments to rejoice with them this weekend, Dear Friend! May God infuse you with the very JOY you so freely offer to us here. Love and Hugs to you! xoxo
Dear Bettie, I couldn’t help but smile at your words about enjoying our grandbabies playing and leaping about like lambs, because our grandson seemed to have rocket fuel in him after his dinner and kept leaping in front of the screen while we were trying to Skype with them! In fact, his closeness and twirling around not only made me feel a bit dizzy, it also cut off the sounds from his parents who were trying their best to speak with us. He became enamoured with seeing his face appearing and reappearing on the corner of their TV screen as he dodged in and out of view! It meant we had to cut our conversation short this week but it made us all smile, nevertheless. I had another taste of JOY while eating lunch out with our elder son and his wife. It was a belated celebration for my husband’s homecoming from hospital, his recent birthday and Mothers Day, all rolled into one. Then we spent the afternoon with them and savoured their lovely garden, enjoying the sunny, warm weather as well. Thank you for your sweet words about the haiku. I’m a bit out of practice these days! We see God’s mercy in granting us words to write. It’s a beautiful gift, isn’t it? Love and hugs to you! Hope your weekend was restful, my friend. xoxo
Reblogged this on Pastor Michael Moore's Blog and commented:
A wonderful and hope-filled reflection, Joy ❤
How kind you are, Michael! Bless you, Brother. 🙂 ❤
Joy, this is so good! So much THIS: “We can tend to forget to rejoice in the small signs of wonder unfolding before us, those seemingly tiny glimpses of grace we experience each day. Yet they lead to the greatest rejoicing of all on Resurrection Sunday, and are intended to bring us joy in the here and now.” And the middle poem is my fave. Love the image of the lambs playing.
Tara, there’s something so endearing and engaging about those frisky lambs, isn’t there? It’s my favourite, too! I write quite regularly about wonder, probably because I so easily forget to seek it out on the dull and pain-filled days, the very ones when I actually need it the most. Thank you for letting me know what spoke to you. Bless you! 🙂 xo
My favorite, I think, is the first haiku of your post. Thanks so much for writing it!
Hi Lizl, thanks for letting me know what resonated with you! I’m glad you liked it. Bless you, friend! 🙂 x
Your tulip photo is gorgeous! And this: “God’s mercy springs whole watering our souls, like dew refreshes” – the visual you give is soul delightful!
Hi Maryleigh, how lovely to see you! Thank you for your sweet words. I’m so pleased you dropped by and found some soul refreshment here. Feel free to return again, my friend. 🙂
Another great post, Joy. Beautiful poems and images. Have you ever considered ministering?
Thanks, Vashti! I do consider my blog posts— here and on wordsofjoy.me —to be a means of ministry. Is that what you meant? Though I did lead a women’s group at church for a few years and have always loved delving deeper into theological issues. My hope and prayer is to be able to speak to hurting souls and offer them empathy, compassion, encouragement and hope to cling to by sharing my faith in Jesus. I guess that’s a form of ministry, yes? xo