In a season of increasing darkness within and without, as SAD and diminishing daylight hours adversely affect my feelings and thoughts, I tend to question what being fully alive might really mean. Because it seems to be defined for me spiritually far more than physically.
The answer to what it means to be fully alive will vary enormously from person to person, of course, but for me a wave of wistfulness sets in. I know I only feel half alive at times. Especially if liveliness means having an active body as well as an active mind!
Most of my life is relatively experience poor in terms of travelling, meeting up with people, seeing and trying new things. However, my inner life has become richer over the years, due to the sedentary nature of my existence making me more aware of life’s small mercies and graces.
In the poem below I am looking at life from a more whimsical perspective, instead of dwelling on my living reality of excessive fatigue, limited mobility, persistent pain and chronic illness. I am imagining a life where anything is possible and joy is expressed in a physically exuberant way, quite unlike my usual experience.
It suggests a foretaste of heaven, where tears, sickness, problems and pain will be no more, and we will experience a fullness of life and a deep joy beyond anything we might know now as we live in a fallen world.
“He will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain. The old things have disappeared.” – Revelation 21:4 GNT
Being alive
I want to play
dance in the firmament
bend and sway
like a loose-limbed cloud
chased by a breath of wind
I want to rise
glide over rooftops and trees
a lunar ride
shining like quicksilver
growing lighter by degrees
I want to gambol
frisky as lambs in springtime
giddy with joy
inebriated inside
I’m poem, rhythm and rhyme
I want to hold
more than arms can contain
be brave and bold
expansive as wild waves
and never feel ashamed
I want to live
with stars in my eyes all day
drunk on love
happier than I’ve ever been
pulsating eternally
© joylenton
One thing we can count on is having God with us in our daily lives, in the mess and brokenness, in the fire of adversity and pain. God gives us His strength and helps us rise again. We are made alive in Him.
Poetry Joy 
Dear Joy,
Oh you have captured that inner longing so beautifully. And I do see you dwelling there even now, in those heavenly places with Him, as you express your heart longings to us here. I feel those same ways so often, and ask God for glimpses of the way that He sees me–so differently than what I can see or feel. Oh, Lord give us your heart and your eyes, to know that these trials are so short. Eternity is so vast and H You are already lifting our souls there with You. Thank you Joy for this precious post today. Blessings, love and hugs for you! xoxo
And that song is so beautiful too, bringing such tears to my eyes today. Thank you for sharing dear friend! You are such a blessing.
Yes, it is lovely! A new one for me. I am thankful to have found it. And pleased you like it too! Bless you, dear friend. 😊❤
You do? That’s a lovely thought! Our purpose here is to bring heaven to earth, I guess, in how our lives reflect Christ’s presence and grace. It doesn’t surprise me to hear you feel similarly, Bettie. If only we could see ourselves and our lives as God sees them! Amen to your prayer. In the light of eternity our time here is but a blip. An important and significant one but tiny nevertheless. I’m so glad to have lifted you a little today, dear friend. Blessings, love and hugs to you too! xoxo 💜
Reblogged this on Pastor Michael Moore's Blog and commented:
Beautifully said, Joy 💜💜 Seeking the love and the light with you, dear Sister
Thank you, Michael! I believe the love and light already shine brightly within you, my friend. But oh how our hearts long for more! 😊💜
Indeed ❤️❤️
Oh yes, Joy! I am longing this with you. Someday all our tears will be wiped away forever, and we will fly freely and uninhibited in the love and joy of Jesus. Love and hugs to you!
Oh Trudy, I can envision God releasing His most beautiful butterflies to greet us and remind us of the joy and freedom that is ours eternally with Him. I love the thought of flying “freely and uninhibited in the love and joy of Jesus”, just like they do! Blessings, love and hugs to you, dear friend! xo 💜
Very nice. Joyful. Thanks
Oh good! I’m glad you enjoyed this post. Blessings on your weekend. 😊
Welcome Joy. Thanks again for sharing. God bless you. Have a great weekend.
Joy, your poem is so beautiful! It gives me joy just reading it and feeling the emotions you describe. What a grand time we all will have when we meet together in heaven! Blessings, love and hugs to you, dear Joy! xoxo
I intended it to be hopeful and joyful, so I am delighted it came across that way to you, Gayl! Thanks for letting me know. The emotions were strong when I wrote it. Most of my poetry stems from intense thoughts and feelings. Yes, it will be grand indeed to meet up and have the biggest party ever in heaven! Blessings, love and hugs to you too, dear friend! xoxo 💜