I’m not always good at sacred noticing, though I’ve written a book about it and a plethora of poetry. 😉 Because I’m hampered by illness induced brain fog and fatigue. But when my mind suddenly freeze-frames a scene, I know to pay attention to it.
As I stumbled out of bed recently, an ordinary sight took on an extraordinary intensity. I’d hoped to have more sleep but the words in my head wouldn’t let me. I began to memorise them as they shaped themselves into the poem below.
Interplay
it’s early morning
slats of the blinds blink
with morse code-like messages
an interplay of light and dark
as the trees sway
as light-dappled leaves dance
while the wind embraces
their roughened barks
their weathered trunks
and I watch, entranced
even in my half-awake
sleep-addled state
because I don’t want to miss
a thing, I simply long
to notice it all
as sunlight sends her secrets
of life, of light, of joy, of love
into my waiting heart
© joylenton
When the mundane becomes meaningful to us, it can act like a holy whisper, a call to pay attention, a gentle nudge to observe and receive the messages it wants to share.
God speaks to us in numerous ways, frequently through nature, through our environment, through our daily grind. And when we watch and listen well, He gifts us with sacred awareness and awe.
NOTE: Observant readers might notice that this is my first post here for over a year (a year!!) and may wonder why I’ve been absent here. It’s partly due to the Muse being a less frequent visitor than before, but mostly because of increasing health issues taking prominence. As they are ongoing, I will probably still post infrequently here, though I often share small snippets on my Facebook page or timeline. You’re welcome to find me there… Xx 😊💜❤️
Poetry Joy 
Beautiful poem, Joy! It’s a great reminder to pause at what seems ordinary because there is always something more to see if we just take the time. God is always with us but it’s easy to forget that if we don’t pause and think. Thank you for sharing your heart here! Blessings and love to you, dear friend! xo
I tried to hit “like” but it keeps trying to make me sign into WordPress, which I don’t have anymore. Oh, well, at least it let me leave a comment. 🙂
Just ignore that last paragraph. Apparently I do still have WordPress.com, even though I don’t have a blog.
You really should try blogging.
I now have a free blog with Blogger, but it’s been over a month since I posted. I also have a Substack account but have not written anything there.
I have Poetic License on Blogger, but I use WordPress. Not as familiar with Substack.
Oh good! Do you have a blog elsewhere instead or are you on Substack? I’m wondering whether it’s worth moving to it but I like my space here even if I’m not able to post that much. xo
Dear Gayl, I appreciate your thoughtful and encouraging comment as I know you’re also a seeker of the sacred in the mundane and the extraordinary in the ordinary. Though it does require us to be attentive to the numerous ways in which God can speak to us. And as you say, it’s easy to forget to pause and think, or react, perhaps. I’m always grateful for your sweet presence and contributions here, my friend. Blessings and love to you, too! xo 💜
I like to see the sunlight coming through the window, it is like God kissing you awake.
What a lovely poetic thought, Rebecca! Bless you for being here. ❤️
Dear Joy, thank you for sharing some of your precious strength with us today in this post! I love your poem. It expresses so well that gift of holy noticing th
Dear Bettie, it’s an energy expenditure to be sure, but it’s also an uplifting experience to have new poetic thoughts to share. Bless you, my friend. It warms my heart to know it resonates with you. x ❤️🌸
sorry about hitting the send button too soon!! You have the sweet gift of holy noticing, and I’m always thankful when you encourage the rest of us to pause and notice also! This last stanza especially touched my heart today:
as sunlight sends her secrets
of life, of light, of joy, of love
into my waiting heart
Blessings and love to you my dear sister!!
Don’t worry, Bettie, it happens. Technology can be tricky sometimes. Using the dashboard here again was almost like starting from scratch. 😉 I’m grateful for your lovely encouragement and support, and I think we could all use a reminder now and then to pay greater attention to things. It’s the beginning of wonder, prayer and praise. I’m so pleased the poem spoke to you today. Blessings and love to you, too, dear sister! x 😊💜
What a beautiful poem, Joy! It is good to see you back again.
Thank you, Michael! It feels good to be back! Hope you’re keeping well, dear Brother. 😊
Denise and I both are keeping well. I’ve been fully retired for over a year now and that has been wonderful. Still doing some preaching but not involved in any of the administrative stuff.
That’s good news, Michael. It must be a joy to keep your hand in with the preaching and a relief to have been able to drop the administrative stuff.
it is a huge relief! Denise is preaching on Sunday at a church where we both have been preaching with some regularity since they are without a pastor. I’m moderating my second congregational meeting for them on Sunday. The cool thing is that someone else is doing the work with the church board and my role is to make sure that the congregational meeting runs smoothly and achieves its objective. That’s about the extent of the admin work that I have done since retiring and I love it!
That sounds great, Michael. What a blessing to be able to focus most on doing something you love! 😊
I love the image of “sunlight sends her secrets
of life, of light, of joy, of love
into my waiting heart.” It is good to see you back.
Thank you, Shirley! It’s been a bit of a learning curve getting to grips with WordPress again but very much worth the effort. x
It’s so great to see you here again, Joy. I’m thankful for your words whenever they do come. Thank you for encouraging us to seek the sacred in the mundane. This part especially touches my heart –
“as sunlight sends her secrets
of life, of light, of joy, of love
into my waiting heart”
Love and blessings to you!
It’s lovely to be back, Trudy! I’m so grateful those lines spoke to you. I’ve really missed the regular blogging I used to do. Though my words may be fewer and less frequent than before, it’s a joy to be writing here once more. The best bit is reconnecting with lovely readers and friends like you. Love, blessings and hugs to you, dear friend! x 💜