Life is a series of moments. Things waiting to be discovered and experienced. Heightened hours to enjoy to the full and times of dark trial, trouble and tribulation. We’re on a journey where we find ourselves along the way. And a veritable trail of wonder, hopefully.
Though I usually attempt to freeze-frame wonder moments in a camera lens, God often whispers for me to desist, slow down and simply savour what I see. It’s as if those wondrous clouds, that scenic sky, floral beauty and trellis of trees were made just for me.
And in a way, they are. Because Jesus would have willingly gone to the cross if there had been only one of us in need of a Saviour. God spills out creation’s beauty as though it’s tailor-made for you and me.
I’m a woman on a mission, without leaving home. A soul on a quest to pursue beauty and seek wonder in the commonplace, as I look to discover God in the minutiae of my days.
He is here. The Holy One, King of heaven and earth , inhabits the ordinary. He’s longing to be found by questing minds and hearts. Is it easy? Not always. It takes determination and dedication to keep pressing in to sense the sacred in the secular. Is it worth it? Oh, yes!
In this moment
Lord of all life,
you are in this moment and that moment
In the weary, bleary half-awake
pyjama-clad, messy, undressed state
In all the dreary length of days and
heights of excitement along the way
In shrouded, clouded, muddled mind
and clarity bursts of the sudden kind
In biting tongue after harsh words
releasing good thoughts to be heard
In discouragement, hiding of face
then eyes lit up by glimmers of grace
In loneliness, absence of sound, and
having our friends and family round
In all our living, loving and giving
we rely on you for all receiving
Be in this moment and this hour
equip us with your wisdom and power
©joylenton
Sometimes our eyes need things enhanced or altered a little, as in the arty style photo of yellow roses below. They are enchanting in their own right, of course, though we can become jaded by the familiar and satiated with sameness. A little tweak from us (or a wake up call from God) is enough to awaken our hearts anew to the beauty of this moment, being present to His presence.
Poetry Joy 
Dear Joy,
Thank you for these sweet words! These lines are hitting me hard today:
“in discouragement, hiding of face
then eyes lit up by glimmers of grace”
as I ponder and think–how does He do that inside of us? I know that I have had such moments of discouragement this week, but all it takes is one moment, and His grace lifts my eyes to see His hope. He truly is here with us, in every moment we live. I am so grateful that you continue to share the encouragement that He brings to your heart, with all of us here. You may be housebound, but the Lord has set your words free, flying to so many hearts! Blessings, love and hugs to you! xoxo
Dear Bettie, I’m as awed and amazed as you are by how swiftly God’s grace can lift us when we start out feeling discouraged. It’s a beautiful gift to encourage us to turn to Him in everything. Holy joy is ours for the taking, yet we so often miss these glory markers in our days! Thank you so much for your sweet words. You encourage me more than you know. And I see the same freedom in the thoughts you share. They touch hearts and minister to hurting souls. What a privilege we have to write for those the Lord wants us to reach out to, help and touch! Have a blessed Thanksgiving weekend, my friend. Love and hugs to you! xoxo 💜
“It takes determination and dedication to keep pressing in to sense the sacred in the secular. Is it worth it? Oh, yes!” Just the reminder I need at the start of my day, Joy. Thank you!
You’re most welcome, dear friend! Though I think I could have added a few things, Laurie, such as: spiritual insight, perseverance, patience and grace. It’s a joy to have your sweet presence here and an added bonus to have been able to speak to you through these words. Thank you for letting me know! May the rest of your weekend be full of wonder moments. xo 💜
Thank you for your encouragement here, Joy. So true – He’s in each and every moment. Even in my “shrouded, clouded, muddled mind” this week. So thankful He gives us those “wake up calls”. I so recognize what you shared about Him slowing you to take in the moment, rather than snap a photo of it: He’s done the same with me.
It must be so very hard being house-bound. That you have so much encouragement to share says so much about the presence of Jesus in you and your yearning to go ever deeper with Him. Thank you for all you’ve been sharing these past few weeks. You’ve been such a blessing to me.
Anna, going deeper with God is the title of my elder son’s first blog. He has largely achieved it with intense Bible study, leading to a Master’s degree in Theology, as well as through life experiences. My journey has been in the training ground of Hard Knocks, the University of Life and the School of the Holy Spirit. No less intense and taking decades! But however we learn to surrender and grow, it never takes away from the sheer awe of being in relationship with God. My pursuit of wonder grew out of a desperate need to sense God in my somewhat limited life with chronic illness and pain. And I have found Him there more than anywhere. It warms my heart to hear that you, too, have had “wake up calls” and reminders to slow. Our hasty souls require the rest and peace only God can give us. Blessings and hugs to you, dear friend! xo 😊💟
Living like we believe this truth, God is present in the ordinary, is a great gift. Thank you for these words today, friend!
June, I think this season of Advent makes that extraordinary truth hit home anew. It’s something I aim to focus on over the next few weeks, and I might even write a blog post or more on this topic! Thank you for getting to the heart of the matter of right believing and living it out. That is the key thing. I’m grateful for you being here, my friend! 😊💜
“Be in this moment and this hour
equip us with your wisdom and power”
This is my prayer right now. We have some things to discuss with our son and another 21 yr. old who lives with us. But God is giving wisdom and we are working things out.
Blessings to you, dear Joy! Love and hugs! xoxo
Joining you in prayer, my friend. May wisdom prevail, discernment lead the way and conversation be liberally sprinkled and seasoned with the salt of God’s love and His Holy grace and peace. Gayl, thank you for sharing your need and how my God-given words are in tune with it. Blessings, love and hugs to you! xoxo
Hi Joy! I really like the line about being on a mission, without leaving home. That’s so rich, thank you for those words. So many times we think we have to run out and do something ‘big’ in the world. When that doesn’t work out, does that mean that I’m worthless? Certainly not!
May God be with all of us in these moments, bringing us wisdom and love,
Ceil
Hi Ceil! We are far from worthless, even when we feel inadequate or sidelined. There is a role and purpose, a mission uniquely crafted for each one of us. Though we tend to think big and discount ourselves for not measuring up to the image in our heads. Yet God lovingly invites you and me to co-labour with Him in the outworking of His Kingdom here on earth. How we need the wisdom, love, strength and discernment only God can give us! Thanks for dropping by. So blessed to see you here, my friend! 😊💜