Moving house 2 years ago meant a great deal of necessary sorting, sifting and discarding took place. We are slowly still going through our belongings, seeking to pare back to those things which fit where we are now and how we live. I’m attempting to adopt a “buy less/buy better” policy with my clothes as well.
Letting go and surrendering is tough. We get attached to stuff, and can struggle with the changes and upheaval required before we can reach a place of acceptance and calm.
Making space Today they’ve mown down the cow parsley, trampled the brown-crisped remnants of Queen Anne’s Lace to let the grass breathe, to create a new space where blackbirds can stop and sit and congregate and hop in the shade of the apple tree, and sift the powdery dregs for edible seeds, dip their beaks into dried-out, sun-baked ground with patient perseverance, with hope and faith. And as I watch them eat, I think about the husks I bear inside, dried-out shells of places way past all watering because they’re wilted, limp, dying, slain like shredded lace, no longer fit for purpose— if I could only learn to relinquish, surrender them bit by bit to the One who waits, and wants to create something new, something better in their desiccated place. © joylenton
It’s also really hard to let go of old mindsets, habits and thoughts, isn’t it? Yet we’re encouraged to notice what doesn’t fit who we are as children of God, and to seek the Holy Spirit’s help in weeding them out to give our souls room to breathe and be at peace.
If there’s no clearing out, we’re in danger of getting stuck in the ruts of past behaviour and negative thinking. The key to overcoming the pang of loss is to fill the gap with positive ways to live, think, and behave that enrich our lives, rather than diminishing it.
Beauty and strength come from surrender. It might sound counterintuitive but it’s healthy for our souls. In the act of surrendering to God, we give Him carte blanche to help us become the very best version of ourselves.
Poetry Joy 
Dear Joy, your words were the breath of fresh air that I needed today. This touched my heart in this season that feels overwhelming to me now:
“The key to overcoming the pang of loss is to fill the gap with positive ways to live, think, and behave that enrich our lives, rather than diminishing it.”
And oh, how the Lord is right here showing me the beauty that He sees–what a gift. Thank you so much for sharing your words even as He is uncovering beauty in your new season too. Much love & hugs from our mutually hot & dry landscape across the pond! ❤️❤️❤️
Dear Bettie, it’s hard to switch our minds toward the positive when we’re feeling overwhelmed, unwell, and weak, isn’t it? I might know the better thing to do but I very much struggle with it, too, and need God’s grace to remind me each day.
I love your ability to see and sense the good even when life gets tough. God has certainly opened your eyes to the beauty that exists and the joy that inexplicably sits with sadness and sorrow. Losses of every kind leave us feeling empty and lost yet can open the way to a richness we didn’t expect.
I’m grateful these words were a “breath of fresh air” for your soul. How I wish I could lift some of the heavy load you bear, but the best I can offer is to keep lifting you up to the Lord in prayer. Much love and hugs to you, too, from a newly rain-saturated landscape which drank it up in yesterday’s storm in no time at all! Xx 💜🌧️💟☔️❤️
Joy, thank you for this beautiful poem. I love your descriptions of the Blackbirds.
Thank you, Shirley! The wildlife here is well worth observing for poetic inspiration. Yesterday we had an invasion of 10 baby peacocks! Their noisy honking was probably caused by getting lost from their parents. Unfortunately, we’ve been advised against feeding them and they had to be chased away because they’re prone to damaging the gardens and eating the plants. x 😉❤️
Lovely poem and beautiful message, Joy, full of hope and inspiration. 🙏
Thank you, Mother Wintermoon, I’m glad you enjoyed this poem and found it inspiring and hopeful. It’s good to see you here again. I missed your posts and wondered how you were and whether you were taking a break. Blessings of rest and peace to you, my friend. 🙏🏻🕊❤️