It’s that time again when winter has her icy grip upon the land.
I prefer to hug my duvet than to emerge from its warm cocoon to the colder room.
Sleep hangs around, muffling in its heavy embrace, unwilling to relinquish me to the demands of the hours.
These are days of feeling more lethargic than usual and finding it far harder to face a day.
My mind feels frozen over, winter-bare as I eventually rise, sip coffee and slowly waken to the day.
It’s also that time of the week when we aim to write within the time constraint of 5 minutes flat and share our offering for five-minute-friday.
So here’s my best attempt to be aware, savour this time to be inspired and open to the words God wants to pour from my pen on the subject of ‘time’…
Living within the limits…
Time marches on inexorably
Etching its footsteps across our features
Making bodies sink lower
to the dust they came from
Leaving marks and scars of life’s assaults
and causing pain of every kind
to our bodies and our minds
We cannot stem the tide of time
that makes men shrink into their frame
and swells the joints with aches and pains
But we can learn to live and love
within its limits, to make the most
of hours and minutes before we’re
made redundant by the world
lost in the abyss or blinking
wide-eyed in the embrace of
sweet eternity’s joyful bliss
And the Lord of time Himself doesn’t
think we’re on the shelf when time
accrues, eating away at our faculties
Because time slips slow when we live
within the grace flow of Love’s decree
making moments count as time is swallowed
up by living holy mindfully
and seeing there is always work
ahead to be done by you and me
©JoyLenton2016
Once again, I am awed, encouraged and grateful beyond measure for the gift of words coming in time to share them. God is so good and faithful, time after time!
Friend, may you continue to learn to live well within the limits of time and circumstance as you also live by grace in the light of eternity.
I’m linking with fellow word-wranglers at Kate Motaung’s place for #FMF where this week’s word prompt is ‘time’.
And spending time in company with writing friends at Barbie’s place as we share our #WeekendWhispers soul offerings. Come join us? 🙂
Words of Joy 
“Make the most of the hours and minutes before us” Amen, my sweet friend. A lovely offering. Have a blessed day! And I’m with you, choosing to stay snuggled under the duvet!
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June, I’m so glad you are joining me in “choosing to stay snuggled under the duvet” as it makes me feel I’m not alone in my desire to hibernate during these cold months! May you keep snug and warm this weekend, my friend, as you bask in God’s love for you.
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Your words are always such a gift. I too would much rather stay wrapped up under the blankets. I’m over in the #11 spot this week.
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Hi Tara, your visits are such a gift of encouragement to me! Thanks for stopping by. I’ve just hopped over to read your timely words too. 🙂 x
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Joy, simply beautiful. I have been thinking lately about how we only get to live each moment once. We may have another chance to live another moment, but time doesn’t go backward and allow do-overs. Well, not exactly anyway. I loved your post.
This?
“Because time slips slow when we live
within the grace flow of Love’s decree
making moments count as time is swallowed
up by living holy mindfully
and seeing there is always work
ahead to be done by you and me.”
This resonated with my heart. So glad God gave you the words on time to share with us!
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Jeanne, it’s a pleasure to see you here! I was touched by your words about time and how that impacts the way you mother your sons. And it’s a joy to know some of these words have found a home in your heart. Bless you, friend.
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“We can learn to live and love within its limits…” Amen! I’m so grateful that no matter how much time and pain has worn us down, the Lord never puts us on the shelf. Thank you for this encouragement, Joy. Blessings and hugs to you!
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Trudy, I was secretly relieved to have those words speaking to me too! Once we hit senior years there’s a tendency to feel we’re out of action as such. But you and I (and so many other writers) are living proof that God’s not finished with us yet. Our life stories are helping and encouraging others on their journey. Blessings and hugs to you! 🙂 x
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It’s a blessing to read your words. Yes, even though it’s winter, and it’s cold and frozen, I’m thankful God seems to bless me with generous times of reflection and praise of Him while tucked indoors. Following you at Barbie’s this weekend. Bless you!
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Hi Julie. Thanks for visiting! I love your perspective on some advantages of the winter season for you. I can relate to feeling grateful to have “generous times of reflection and praise of Him while tucked indoors.” If we spend the moments well then we can reap enjoyment and blessing from them. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂
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You have such a gift! How I love to stop at your place and read your words!
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How kind and encouraging you are, Carrie! Thanks very much for stopping by, my friend. Do feel free to return any time. You’re always welcome! 🙂 x
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What a truly thought-provoking, insightful and beautifully poignant poem. The Lord certainly did gift you with these precious words.
Thanks so much for sharing!
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Karen, I am beyond grateful for the gift of words coming just when I needed them! God is so good. Thank you for being here and leaving a lovely comment. I really appreciate it. Bless you.
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Time seems to go faster the older I get. Your description of the snow you have and living in it makes me feel like snow slows down living so we can savor it maybe a bit more? I’m waiting for my snow. It’s not come yet, but it always slows down the schedule – and there’s time to savor the sweet things!
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Yes indeed, your words: “Time seems to go faster the older I get” are true for me too. I’m finding that time telescopes yet also seems to slow somehow because we begin to still ourselves long enough to notice things with greater attentiveness than before. Maybe it’s because we seek to savour those things which are transitory and appreciate them for the wonder they really are. I hope and pray you have opportunity within the busyness of the days to savour all the goodness and grace gifts that come your way. PS: Our snow was truly fleeting, here one moment and gone the next. We rarely have a covering here for long!
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Thank you, Joy, for the reminder of how precious each moment is. Letting each moment unfold in God’s presence is where I find an endless supply of love, joy, and peace. Just being fully present to this moment releases a song of joy in my heart and puts me in a state of near breathless awe. All God’s blessings to you today, dear sister.
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Laura Ellen, you bring a smile to my face and a glow to my heart with these words: “Just being fully present to this moment releases a song of joy in my heart and puts me in a state of near breathless awe.” How lovely! Thanks very much for stopping by to share your insights. Have a blessed week, dear friend.
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