I love looking at clouds. Watching them drift and separate. Seeing them moving slowly or travelling at speed, while wearing dream-like, ethereal, cotton-wool threads, filled with glory from sun’s splendid rays or dressed in drab, dark robes of thunder and rain.
Clouds are entrancing however and whenever we choose to view them. Although you might think cloud watching is only possible for those who have day-dreamer hearts and look up as they walk along, or who, like me, are largely housebound and have time on their hands for staring out of windows.
But I don’t think that’s entirely true, because clouds are freely available for all of us. All we require is the incentive and interest to take a look. In doing so we might discover just how fascinating they are and how watching them helps relax and calm our mind and heart.
In looking at and considering the heavens (including clouds) we see ourselves in relation to their vastness and splendour with a different perspective, and are awed anew by God’s amazing love and concern for us.
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honour.” – Psalm 8:3-5 (NIV)
Clouds
Clouds drift by with calm intention, knowing their position
and place in the heavens, while willing to be blown about
by the wind or be stilled and lulled with peaceful precision
There’s no pressure on them to be anything but what they are
as they move to the vagaries of the weather, splitting into soft
threads with wispy, cotton-wool edges or piled into heavy ridges
They look translucent as they dance in the changeable atmosphere
and bow down as if weighted with lead, become foggy and thick
as they take on a dense, dark and malevolent kind of character
Sunlight brings out their brilliant white, lacy virginal style when
it’s full and bright in daylight hours, then transmutes into a vivid
palette during sunrise and sunset, painted indigo, gold and red
Vastness of sky would be far less interesting to us if we didn’t
have such an eclectic scenario of clouds, altering before our eyes
in all their varied shapes and hues to inspire, intrigue and amuse
© joylenton
And one day , when the time is ripe, we will look up at the sky and see Jesus coming on the clouds of glory, ready to rule and reign in splendour.
“At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” – Mark 13: 26 (NIV)
Poetry Joy 
Reblogged this on Pastor Michael Moore's Blog and commented:
A beautiful reflection
Thank you, Michael, you are unfailingly kind and generous! Bless you, dear Brother. 😊
Dear Joy,
Thank you for these beautiful and uplifting reflections. I love this stanza:
“Clouds drift by with calm intention, knowing their position
and place in the heavens, while willing to be blown about
by the wind or be stilled and lulled with peaceful precision”
I am listening to a song playing now that fits so well with this thought, “I want to be lost in you Jesus.” And isn’t that what those whispy clouds allow themselves to be? Lost in the very purpose they were created for. Oh may I let Him move me according to those purposes that He calls beautiful in my own life. Your words have again stirred something deep within, and I am so grateful for your sharing here. Blessings, love and hugs my friend. xoxo
Dear Bettie, oh how amazing to hear of the timing coinciding with you listening to a song that fit these words! I love the thought of being lost in Jesus, the very one who found and saves us. Clouds lend themselves well to the imagery that evokes. Amen to your heartfelt prayer. May it be so, my friend! Thank you so much for allowing deep to call unto deep as your soul responds so beautifully to the weaving of poetry. Blessings, love and hugs to you too. xoxo
I love watching clouds, too, Joy. “In looking at and considering the heavens (including clouds) we see ourselves in relation to their vastness and splendour with a different perspective, and are awed anew by God’s amazing love and concern for us.” Yes, it’s humbling. As in Psalm 8 verse, it makes us wonder who we are that He is so mindful of us and cares for us. The first stanza of the poem strikes me, too. About how they know their place and position in the Creator’s hands and are willing to be blown or to be stilled. Would that I would be that compliant to His will and way! Thank you for these comforting reflections! Love and hugs to you!
Trudy, there’s nothing quite as powerful as gazing at the heavens to place our lives in their right perspective. We see at once how seemingly small and insignificant we are, yet somehow deeply loved and cherished by God. May He have His way in us and may we both seek to surrender like the clouds do to His will! Love and hugs to you too, dear friend. 💜
I love cloud watching, I have even seen an angel and a dove at different times going down the freeway, and when I go out at sunset, or even in the afternoon I love the ones that look like feathers.
Their shapes are amazing, aren’t they? I once saw a really clear cross in the sky from a formation of clouds. Such sights make us realise just how much God watches over us, even to the extent of thrilling our souls with heavenly thoughts from how clouds arrange themselves. And each day’s dawn and sunset are such great reminders of His splendor. I’m so pleased you are also an avid cloud watcher, Becky! 😊💜
I watch the stars and moon too, I saw it one night so close in the back yard, it was like a huge white plate that you could reach out and touch, no cheese, too bad.
I enjoy watching the clouds too.
Happy cloud watching, Tara! Today my gaze has been fixed to the TV, enjoying the spectacle of a lovely royal wedding. Blessings on your weekend, friend! 😊💜
Dear Joy, I enjoyed your heavenly description of clouds as it built up to the crescendo of Christ’s return. I often think of–and long for–His return when the sky is full of drama.
Blessings ~ Wendy ❤
Dear Wendy, thank you letting me know you enjoyed these words. Yes, I share that longing for Christ’s return. It’s something we yearn for and know we need to be prepared for as well. Have a blessed weekend, my friend! xo 💜
Dear Joy, your words stayed with me and inspired a haiku I hope to post in the near future. If I do share it, may I link to your post since you helped inspire it? ❤
Dear Joy,
I love your reflections here. I love watching clouds, too, and it’s been too long since I took the time to just sit for awhile watching them. I still take pictures often, but haven’t lingered. I especially love this line in your poem, “There’s no pressure on them to be anything but what they are…” Our lives are the same way, we don’t have to let things pressure us to be any more or less than exactly what we are, what God is making us to be. Your post reminds me of a poem a wrote a few years ago. Hope you don’t mind if I share it here?
Clouds, our lives, vapors
Always on the move
Directed by God
Clouds, our lives, free
following the road ahead
calling us to create
Clouds, our lives, together
Growing and changing
with joy and pain
Clouds, our lives, raining
Bringing refreshment
Wherever we go
Blessings and love to you, dear friend! xoxo
Dear Gayl, it’s good to know you’re also a paid up member of the cloud appreciation society! I don’t get to witness them at length every day but I am always grateful for those moments when I remember to do so. Being true to who we are isn’t always easy, is it? Yet knowing ourselves well is part of spiritual maturity. Then we can begin to ringfence where our passion lies and where God is calling us to be a witness for Him, as we learn to let go of what doesn’t fit us anymore. I LOVE your poem! Thanks for sharing it here. Blessings, love and hugs to you, sweet friend! xoxo