“Nature is too thin a screen; the glory of the omnipresent God bursts through everywhere” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
My mostly sedentary, housebound life has, rather surprisingly, greatly enhanced whatever ability I might have for noticing. Observation pays dividends of hope and contentment whenever I look closely at living creatures, trees, flowers, and plants.
Nature lures me like a siren call, and I respond with joy, knowing how it lifts my spirit to engage with it all.
Anticipation builds as the seasons change because they all have different aspects that charm us. Life goes on without our full attentiveness, of course, but when we do pause to pay attention we are rewarded with wonderful scenic views, deeper appreciation, participation with the created world, spiritual insights, and maybe a poem to share..
Anticipating Holiness seeps from each breath of wind, whispering your majesty because the still, small voice speaks louder than anything. The land anticipates your glorious presence as it waits to receive each day’s instruction to shine your glory and signal your peace. Yes, even now, with dripping trees bowed low against each movement of blustery wind and rain, while a watery sun licks the flowers again. Even here, as the pigeon pokes her beak into saturated soil, expectant of finding seed, and the blackbirds stoop to gather worms as their daily spoil. Nature might appear casually indifferent to holy breath but it shouts out the loudest words of praise to its Maker, always. Earth has learnt how to keep you as its primary focus, remaining sensitive to all the shifts in its rhythmic pulse, its seasonal chorus. Oh may we be stirred to listen to its vibrant words, and give our own response, as our hearts rejoice in also being seen and heard. May your peace rule and reign in the midst of chaos because answers will flow, even if we think no one can hear us. © joylenton
“I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.” ~ George Washington Carver
For those of you who might have been anticipating just when I would return and write here again, I’m glad to be back! But I have to say that I’m not sure as yet how regular my posts will be for a while, as this post explains. Keep noticing my friends. It will reward you more than you know to develop and heighten your awareness of God at work in the world. Xx 🙂 ❤
Poetry Joy 
Welcome back Dear Joy! Thank you so much for this beautiful reminder to pause in the chaos of our days, and pause to see God’s touches all around us. I have missed your voice here so much. May God continue to bless you as you settle in to your new home. Love and hugs and prayers across the pond!
Oh, thank you, dear Bettie! I’ve missed occupying this space for as long as I have. Unfortunately, there’s been too much life happening and too little energy or time to spare for writing. Things are slowing down a bit now, thankfully, and it feels so good to be back!
I’m grateful, too, for your blessings, love, hugs and prayers across the pond and happy to return them. I’m so thankful we can help support and strengthen one another despite our extra busyness, with the mixed burden and blessing of moving house. xo 😊💟
Dear Joy, I love every word of this and the images it brings to my mind and heart.
Thank you so very much for sharing this.
With prayers and love.🕊💖
Dear Jenny, it’s a joy to be on the receiving end of your sweet encouragement, my friend! And a delight to have been given words which have blessed your mind and heart. Thank you so much for your kindness, love and prayers. They mean a lot to me as I am still quite snowed under with tasks to be completed and slow to pick up the threads of my online life again. Hope you’re keeping well. Blessings, hugs, love and prayers. Xx 🙏🏻💜🕊
Such a beautiful reflection and reminder, Joy ❤️❤️
Thank you, Michael. Bless you, dear friend. I hope to be able to resume reading your words again soon. ❤️
Joy, I think this is one of my favorite of the poems you have written. Truly nature proclaims and glorifies Him even as it groans under the curse. This is beautiful!
Dear June, how lovely to see you here again! I’m so pleased you like this poem and honoured to have it marked as one of your favourites. Yes, nature truly does proclaim and glorify God “even as it groans under the curse” and eagerly awaits its redemption to come, just like us. You’re a beautiful soul with a great appreciation for all created things. I look forward to catching up with your blog posts soon! xo ❤️🌸
Joy, it is good to see you back and be inspired by your gift of putting profound thoughts into words.
That’s so kind of you, Shirley. I appreciate the warm welcome! It’s been a much longer absence than I anticipated, but I still sense that God has been working in me creatively even if I haven’t been writing in a public sphere. Maybe that’s coming across in the words I’ve penned here. Blessings and love to you. Hope to catch up with your posts soon. x 😊💜