click to enlarge
The truth is, we need more often to pay attention. And “pay” is the right word. Time and awareness, concentration and penetration are the price, the cost of seeing with both outer and inner eyes. The details are there for us to notice and appreciate. To ignore them or view them as trivial is to deny the providence of God.
When I was in New Zealand, hiking in the rain forest, I grew almost delirious with the joy of small things! My camera lens, with its zoom magnification, always helps me to consider closely what I might otherwise merely glance at and move on from . . . My need was to stop, be still, focus, become aware, pay attention–to let speak the microcosm, the world of negligible, unnoticed things. How powerfully God can speak to us all through the ordinary, which can reach us all if we pay attention . . . The magnifying lens of careful scrutiny brings a continual stream of unnoticed beauty into focus for the eye of faith.
~Luci Shaw in Water my Soul: Cultivating the Interior Life
Stilled and cultivating,
Sandy
Welcome to Still Saturday where we pause after a busy week, move in quiet pilgrimage, maybe linger a while in some still place, and soak in the beauty of images and words. We’d love for you to join us. Get the details on the left, grab your favorite button, and link up below. We all love to hear if something especially speaks to your heart, but please don’t feel pressured to comment. Simply take some time to gaze long and drink deep.
“The eye of faith…” A beautiful phrase and passage, and how true. What peace, joy, and wonder to be found in those still moments with a camera, I’m discovering. And the beauty that’s revealed: I once heard it described by a nature photographer as “the surest sign of God’s goodness.”
Thank you for sharing, Sandra. I’ve been enjoying the link-ups over at Pollywog Creek the last few weeks (when I launched my blog for 31 Days!), so this is my first time joining in *here.* It’s a delightful community. My appreciation!
God bless you,
HBHW
http://inthehandsofthehealer.blogspot.com
Welcome HBHW! I’m so glad you’re here. I, too, have found that my inner sight has much improved with an outer lens.
Welcome back, Sandy 🙂
It’s good to be back, my friend. So good.
Just found your lovely blog. I’m a firm believer that stillness, spending alone time, nurturing a quiet mind … all of these things are not only beneficial to us, but necessary for a balanced life.
I’m so glad you’re here, Dayle! I hope you find some time to be still during this week.
This is so true…I find I am moved inwardly as I look more intently outwardly. Usually that happens with my camera! Blessings to you…I hope you had much rest in some silence this past month.
I could never have imagined what my camera lens would have done for my heart lens. I heard much in the silence. Bless you, Amy.
You and Luci Shaw – kindred spirits. Much love to you, dearest Sandra. So, so thrilled you are back! xox
I love Luci! Kind of thinking you and she could be kindred spirits, too. 🙂
So grateful for you, my friend. Thank you again and again. xo
Oh lady, I missed you. Welcome back… 🙂
Oh, Kris. You are such an inspiration. I remember that you take an every seventh-week break, don’t you? Is that just from the blog or all social media? Because I think there might be something to that. Maybe next year I should take off July–the seventh month. 🙂 Although there was something deep about doing it during autumn and especially during the month when others were spilling so many filling words. I was able to read more than I would have had I also been writing–but less than I thought I would. It was humbling to step back when I wanted to be part of the action.
Such beauty. Creation’s beauty. Luci’s beauty. Your beauty.
So grateful for you.
I am so grateful for you, too, Sheila. So grateful.
So happy to have you back!
Sorry, it seems my link posted twice… odd indeed
Glad to be back! And linked twice? Double wonderful. 🙂
Welcome back! We missed you!
Thank you, friend!
Welcome back Sandy! Love this quote – the idea of magnifying the Lord, seeing the tiny unnoticed details. Rich.
I like that twist… how when we use our lens to magnify the details, we magnify him.
Welcome back Sandy! The quote and the metaphor of a camera lens optimizing our focus speaks to me …. I enjoyed greatly reading your last post about your month of silence / blog break, and the links you’ve shared your thoughts!
Thanks so much, Nina. It’s so good to be back. Looks like we’re both talking about details today. 🙂
God’s attention to the smallest detail amazes me — such beauty from the design of a single cell to vast galaxies. Thanks for the beautiful post & for hosting & God bless.
Nothing but amazing!
When I pay attention – I do give so much more – focusing like that zoom lense – and even though I’m “paying” – oh, what I get in return is priceless! I So. Love. Your. Thought!
Priceless, yes. Whatever the cost.