Fran Haley is hosting our gathering today on the theme of holy. Her post reminded us that "...the holy is always there, like a luminous lifeline." The holy is not something to be reserved for Sundays or holy days, but surrounds us every day, if we slow down and pay attention.
A favorite author of mine, Emily Belle Freeman, in her book Becoming His: A Daily Journey Toward Discipleship points out that becoming holy might ask us "...to lay aside the task we are focused on to look for the glory of God in the ordinary details of each day. We must learn to turn aside to witness the miracle in the midst of the mundane." She posits that it is in finding holy moments daily that we can become whole.
Thinking about the miracle in the midst of the mundane sent me in search of this favorite quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson:
“Never lose an
opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful;
for beauty is God’s handwriting—a wayside sacrament.
Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower,
and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.”
And I want to add, "welcome it in every brilliant fall leaf." I love the glory of God reflected in nature and I thank him as I drink in the glory of fall color that surrounds and blesses me.
These words from Fran's post, "In the end, it is all a matter of opening the soul to seeing," reminded me of this quote from Emily Dickinson:
“The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience.”
Here are a few pictures of beauty and holy moments I've captured, examples of
God's handwriting in my world.
I welcomed these fair faces at my door this past week:
This collection of fall color (I limited myself to seven)
spans many years, but the last two
were taken this year in our new neighborhood:
Ramona, "miracle in the midst of the mundane" hit home. In the past few months we welcomed two great nephews. Babies are always a miracle. We just have to open our eyes and look around us to see the miracle of life. Thanks for reminding us that we are surrounded by quiet miracles every day.
ReplyDeleteRamona, your post captures and exudes the awe, reverence, and celebration of life so beautifully. Spectacular photos and choice of quotes! "God's handwriting" in your world - this is exactly what I look for and sense each day, just as in those shining little faces and glorious autumn leaves. I am further delighted that you connected "holy" to "whole" - that is an important word association, and a truth - we crave holiness. It is the mark of the divine Creator, the true source of our longing. Thank so much for this glorious reflection!
ReplyDeleteRamona, I remember writing my comment but I must not have sent it off. I read your post many times because you provided so much to ponder, such as: "We must learn to turn aside to witness the miracle in the midst of the mundane." Your photos make me pause and witness the beauty of life. I added this year's fall photo to my padlet, Finding Fall 2022 at https://padlet.com/cvarsalona/awz68cfim4nac1rp. I hope this is fine. The photos of the boys are so lovely. They are cuties.
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