I find myself embracing small moments more and more. Like playing UNO with my 14 year old grandson last night. And as I reflected on our game after the fact, I thought, I will never have those past few moments with him again, just the memories of it.
I do believe our lifestyles have moved away from these small moments of focus. Most are ordinary moments, yet beautiful, joyful, holy moments.
Love this Gayle, and agree. We’re pressed towards the “next thing” and find ourselves robbed of the precious moments you so beautifully described here. Thank you. 🙏
Your ability to call us to slow down and take notice of life’s moments is a blessing. It is so important. Thank you for the beautifully written reminders!
Beautifully written! This happened to me one summer many years ago when I never felt so lonely. Beauty all around me to console me as well as God’s presence. You have put word to this experience. Thank you.
What a gift this essay is for us today Timothy. It’s in these “momentary eternality” experiences where I believe the Holy Spirit speaks to our souls in a voice we can only sense. For many, many years I’ve referred to these as moments of “ecstatic melancholy”. For although it’s neither “sad” nor “happy” it’s in these moments that the intensity of Godly Peace seems almost palpable.
A moment that ministered to me yesterday was while I was visiting with a precious hospice patient. Watching her shallow breaths, chest slowly rising and falling. Preparing to take her journey home. My gaze is turned heavenward. Expectant for her. Reminded of our preparation to be the bride of Jesus.
I’m loving Beauty Chasers! Thank you for writing it!
Wow, what a powerful moment! Thank you for sharing that, Rennie! And I'm so grateful that you're reading The Beauty Chasers. I love that you're loving it!! 🙏
Thanks Tim! Your words paint beautiful pictures! I need to be reminded…OFTEN…to slow down, to savor that space of “momentary eternity”!!! This wonderful “word painting” from you will forever remind me to STOP and SAVOR!
So, so well said. So true. I'm currently reading a collection of all of Robert Frost's poems. He was so in the moment. Mowing a field, taking a walk, observing a butterfly wing, blueberry picking. And it birthed inspiration. He took time to see, and he took time to write it, and be inspired. They feel like a breath of calm fresh air. I want that!
And even taking the time to sit down and read a poetry collection, sometimes feels like the best calming and intentionally mindful thing I can do. Trying to be so much more intentional the last two years about living life physically, not digitally. Sitting on the porch steps and looking at the clouds in the sky can do so much more for my soul than trying to fix my problems on my own.
Sierra, you've got it! You're tapping into a powerful rhythm of life. I can tell just by your description of how you're learning from Frost and the insight of how even reading poetry is an act of cultural resistance. I love it! How wonderful that sitting on porch steps brings life to our bones!
I find myself embracing small moments more and more. Like playing UNO with my 14 year old grandson last night. And as I reflected on our game after the fact, I thought, I will never have those past few moments with him again, just the memories of it.
I do believe our lifestyles have moved away from these small moments of focus. Most are ordinary moments, yet beautiful, joyful, holy moments.
Love this Gayle, and agree. We’re pressed towards the “next thing” and find ourselves robbed of the precious moments you so beautifully described here. Thank you. 🙏
Your ability to call us to slow down and take notice of life’s moments is a blessing. It is so important. Thank you for the beautifully written reminders!
Thank you for those kind words, Angela. It's my joy :)
You are very welcome!
Beautifully written! This happened to me one summer many years ago when I never felt so lonely. Beauty all around me to console me as well as God’s presence. You have put word to this experience. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing that, Jane! Beauty consoles. I love that about it.
What a gift this essay is for us today Timothy. It’s in these “momentary eternality” experiences where I believe the Holy Spirit speaks to our souls in a voice we can only sense. For many, many years I’ve referred to these as moments of “ecstatic melancholy”. For although it’s neither “sad” nor “happy” it’s in these moments that the intensity of Godly Peace seems almost palpable.
Yes! I love your description, Marc, and your reflection. So good!
A moment that ministered to me yesterday was while I was visiting with a precious hospice patient. Watching her shallow breaths, chest slowly rising and falling. Preparing to take her journey home. My gaze is turned heavenward. Expectant for her. Reminded of our preparation to be the bride of Jesus.
I’m loving Beauty Chasers! Thank you for writing it!
Rennie Marie
Wow, what a powerful moment! Thank you for sharing that, Rennie! And I'm so grateful that you're reading The Beauty Chasers. I love that you're loving it!! 🙏
So beautiful!
These moments where I make myself stop and really see beauty are some of the moments I feel closest to God. I feel my soul come alive.
Thank you for capturing this so beautifully and for sharing!
Yes!! 🙌 And thank you, Shiloh!
Thanks Tim! Your words paint beautiful pictures! I need to be reminded…OFTEN…to slow down, to savor that space of “momentary eternity”!!! This wonderful “word painting” from you will forever remind me to STOP and SAVOR!
Yes, yes! Stop and Savor!
Tried doing this today with my kids. It involved ice cream, prayer, ladybugs and shampoo. It worked.
Yes, I love that, Kaleb! What a combo, too! Ladybugs! :)
So, so well said. So true. I'm currently reading a collection of all of Robert Frost's poems. He was so in the moment. Mowing a field, taking a walk, observing a butterfly wing, blueberry picking. And it birthed inspiration. He took time to see, and he took time to write it, and be inspired. They feel like a breath of calm fresh air. I want that!
And even taking the time to sit down and read a poetry collection, sometimes feels like the best calming and intentionally mindful thing I can do. Trying to be so much more intentional the last two years about living life physically, not digitally. Sitting on the porch steps and looking at the clouds in the sky can do so much more for my soul than trying to fix my problems on my own.
Sierra, you've got it! You're tapping into a powerful rhythm of life. I can tell just by your description of how you're learning from Frost and the insight of how even reading poetry is an act of cultural resistance. I love it! How wonderful that sitting on porch steps brings life to our bones!
Beautiful.
Thank you, Martha!
Beautiful essay and wrk here. Grateful
Thank you so much! 🙏