It was late afternoon as we travelled home. Sky was displaying her sunset colours, so I swivelled round as far as I could in my passenger seat, trying to capture the breathtaking beauty behind us.

As sun dipped low, leaving golden trails, I pointed and clicked my phone’s camera, desperately hoping to get a good enough shot as we whizzed past the scenery.

In seeing a sunset I am undone. Nothing speaks more to me of God’s glory and majesty. It’s like a loud clarion call at close of day, a last hurrah as night is ushered in.

I had to swivel uncomfortably to catch the sky’s dying rays, but oh it was worth it! When at home I try to remember to check the view, see if twilight and dusk are melting into sunset, sneak outside for a few moments if able and just marvel anew. It’s never stale or ordinary to me.

Just like wonder, joy seeps into the edges of our consciousness, nudging us into awareness. Though there may be many days when we fail to heed or receive it. Whenever I do, it usually stirs the poetic. Here’s the poem that came from those fleeting moments in the car…

A shifting view

A shifting view seen through

car windscreen while journeying

yields a glimpse of golden glory

rays as sun melts liquid into

horizon’s darkening depths

 

And my heart is captured

too as I point and click

with great rapidity, knowing

how life’s changing scenes

 

need to be seen, savoured anew,

given over to gratitude

for the gifts we can unwrap

in every waking hour

©JoyLenton2016

Sun’s brilliance captured and captivated me, but how much more does the Son of God Himself, our Lord of creation, produce awe, wonder, gratitude and reverence in us? He alone is worthy of all worship and praise.

Sadness may nibble away at the edges of everything, because we live in a dark and fallen world. It is all too easy to fall into discouragement and despair. But what if we deliberately try to capture beauty, take note of nature’s offerings? Even simple family pleasures take on greater significance when viewed through a lens of gratitude.

Maybe in seeking to pay attention to our days we could bring joy back to our hearts. It doesn’t have to be by camera. If we can be more fully present in the moment, then those experiences will naturally etch themselves on our memory.

Sometimes we just need to step outside of our familiar, view the world around us from God’s perspective, see how marvellous it is. In the looking and listening itself we can become more joyful and content, grateful for God’s myriad blessings in the everyday.

Welcome to #day9 of the #write31days writing challenge, where our focus is on journeying into joy.

I’d love to know how this series is speaking to you. Please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you!  🙂