“It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind.” ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Waking up Is it the moment when eyelids spring open or feet hit the floor in a slow or swift movement? Or does the pure act of waking up stem from a signal within our hearts? It is both act and art to comprehend just when we fully awaken. Our souls might ignite with a lucid holy light, illuminating more than our human sight. Truth speaks soft to us, a gentle whisper we can barely hear within, yet it calls out everything. All our sadness, all our joy, our hopes, our guilt and our pain are bathed in a restful wave. This awakening act is heard inwardly as it speaks to the core of who we are. Not the masks we wear. Not the ugly fears. Not the shining image we try to present to others. Instead it echoes within our hearts and souls, right to the very depths as it calls us loved and whole. Yes, it sees it all, with every wrinkle and stain, each pain-filled place wakening now to grace. © joylenton
“Another reason for right living is this: you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of the Lord is nearer now than when we first believed.” — Romans 13:11 TLB
Poetry Joy 
Oh Joy, this poem touched me so deeply, and especially this stanza:
“It is both act and art
to comprehend
just when
we fully awaken.”
How I pray for God to awaken me in these times when I feel my soul grow so weary. He is so merciful to us to stir us “to those very depths.” Thank you for calling us all to listen to His voice, and to look up for Him! Hugs & blessings to you dear friend.
Oh, Bettie, I share your desire and prayer. Weariness saps so much out of us yet God doesn’t judge our ability to be active or not. Instead, He welcomes the movement of our hearts, each prayer, and every small step we take in the direction of His love. His mercy never fails. It envelops us every morning and meets us right where we are struggling. It’s pure mercy, gift and grace for me to have managed to blog this week because my hands keep cramping with pain. But God… and the rest is history. Hugs and blessings to you, too, dear friend. x 💜
“Yes, it sees it all,
with every wrinkle and stain,
each pain-filled place
wakening now to grace.”
I love the sense of wakening “now to grace,” especially when I’ve been fretting or anxious about the day or the future. Thanks you.
Isn’t it a wonderful blessing to know that God inhabits the now of this moment? He also sees the days that have gone and those still to come. Dear Shirley, may you rest in that calming thought and in the overseeing care of the Lord who loves you so very much. Blessings and love. x ❤️
Yes it is, a wonderful blessing.
This is so very beautiful, Joy. Thank you for your blessing. The last line of this stanza especially:
Truth speaks soft to us,
a gentle whisper
we can barely hear within,
yet it calls out everything.
Everything. Only God can do that, can’t He? Taking us ever deeper. Rooting us ever deeper.
Sending love and hugs across the oceans
Dear Anna, I love the emphasis you have given to the word “everything”, drawing out its all-inclusiveness, vastness and depth. Amen to being taken “even deeper” and being rooted more and more in God’s glorious grace and love.
Hugs and love to you, too, sweet friend. Hope you’re having improved health this summer. Do drop me a line to let me know how you are. x 😊❤️