Days of light stretching far
and wide,
lingering long,
filling me
with hope,
with joy,
with something unknown
that I just know I need.
Deeply need.
Time to sit beneath a tree
enchanted
by the elegant breeze
reaching softly
through dark emerald leaves
to turn pages
of my book.
Delightedly I notice
how words have more sparkle
when touched with
drops of dappled sun.
Flowers blooming all around,
turning multi-colored faces to the sky,
to the Source of Life,
and my shutter snaps,
to capture one more
moment in time.
How my heart longs to stay
within this beauty
grown
under beams
of glittering sun.
Sunset sparking glory tones
gilding cloud edges
in gold,
in fiery colors of wonder – promising
a safe return
on the other side of the sky.
Mercy glowing new.
Not always seen,
but surely there
each morning.
Coolness touches my skin
and I shiver
at the change.
Sunset colors form
on leaves
as sunlight leaves
just a bit sooner.
And my heart aches within
when darkness lingers,
when there is more night,
less day.
But then. . .
my heart will say,
let go, my soul
of the longing for more – the
desire to hold onto
that which cannot be held.
“For everything there is a season,
and a time for every purpose under
heaven.” (Ecc. 3:1 – ASV)
Even in darkness
there is Light.
He is Light
and He is always right here.
Don’t ever forget,
you have asked Him
to live within.
And He Who is faithful,
will never leave you
nor forsake you.
“Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.
Yea, if a man live many years, let him rejoice in them all;
but let him remember the days of darkness,
for they shall be many.”
~ Ecclesiastes 11:7-8a (ASV)
The exquisite featured image is from Julie Jablonski and used with her permission for Cultivating and The Cultivating Project. We are grateful and rejoice in celebrating her beautiful work.
Julie is a still-life photographer who finds endless beauty in the small, delicate details of nature and everyday life. Self taught and still learning, store bought flowers paired with vintage china pieces are some of her favorite photo subjects. Julie lives in southeastern Wisconsin with her husband David. After more than 30 years together, they are now empty nesters, and still wildly in love. When she’s not taking photos, shopping at antique and thrift stores with her husband, or visiting with her two kids and their loves, she spends time reading, writing, and dabbling in various forms of art. Above all else however, Julie is a lover and follower of Jesus Christ and wants nothing more than for her life to bring God glory.
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My dear Julie – what beautiful poetry on letting go. I always feel a catch in my heart when fall begins to roll in. Although I am overjoyed that cooler weather is coming, I don’t enjoy the darkness either that comes too quickly as the days get shorter.
Thank you for the beautiful reminders of Christ’s Light which outshines any darkness – AND for reminding me (in this season I seem to be in of letting go of so many things) “that we can’t hold on to that which is not ours to hold.” I so needed to hear that!
As always, both your photos and your writing touch me, and I am so grateful you share them in this space. God Bless you, Sweet Friend!
Dearest Terry, Thank you!
Thank you for your very kind words and the encouragement that you sweetly offer to me so often. You are a gift! I’m so glad God used this to touch your heart. It humbles me that He would. He is so kind to take what we offer and use it in ways we don’t always expect.
To God be the glory and may He bless you abundantly, dear friend.
Julie