Swimming, One Day in August
It is time now, I said,
for the deepening and quieting of the spirit
among the flux of happenings.
Something had pestered me so much
I thought my heart would break.
I mean, the mechanical part.
I went down in the afternoon
to the sea
which held me, until I grew easy.
About tomorrow, who knows anything.
Except that it will be time, again,
for the deepening and quieting of the spirit.
~Mary Oliver
Photos from Haiti, 2014
In the stillness,
Sandy
Welcome to the Still Saturday Community 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 reflect on the depth of sparse words. We’d love for you to join us. Grab the 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 be still together, to gaze long and drink deep.
Hi Sandra – Beautiful pictures from Haiti. The beach is the best place to be still. Thankfully we’ll be heading off on vacation with a little time at a lake house soon. Awww . . .
Thanks for the link up and have a blessed weekend.
Patti
Enjoy that time away, Patti. Nothing like stilling beside the water.
The deepening and quieting of the spirit always is easier by the sea, at least it is for me!
There’s something about water. Though I kind of prefer fresh to salt. No sharks. 😉
And I wonder, always, at the patience of God.
He brings the deepening and quieting without reproach —
If it were me, it would be, “So . . . do you think you can maintain this for more than a day this time?”
I bring my sorry self with worries and faithlessness and anger and discouragement.
He brings Himself and breathes life.
Sandra, thank you for the reminder that we can always come.
If we could maintain it for more than a day, why would we need Him at all? 🙂
Nothing refreshes my spirit than quiet time with God at the beach.
Big. Deep. Sigh. I’m hoping to get a little time by the water this week.
Beautiful poem, lovely pictures! Thanks for being a day-brightener!
You brighten my day, Andrew.
Your beautiful post makes me long for the beach! And then I realize that I can be refreshed in His presence anywhere. Thanks for hosting & God bless.
Sometimes when I sit outside and hear the traffic rushing on the highway, I close my eyes and pretend I’m hearing waves on the shore. 🙂
It has been almost a year since I stood at the edge of the Pacific Ocean and breathed in the depth of His Mightiness. I, too, seem to be drawn to the ocean…maybe because I grew up, or spent much of my growing and early adult years near the beach.
I will recall and breathe it right where I am. He is everywhere. I must remember that wonderful fact.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
There’s something about water, I think. Any water. Sometimes sea. Sometimes a great lake. Sometimes a small lake. Sometimes just a pond or a waterfall… But almost always water.
Such great photos. I can hear the ocean and it calms my soul. 🙂 Thanks Sandra.
Yes… Just thinking about it almost makes it so…
Quiet, beautiful photos – trying to find that deepening quiet here. I think I did – a little – this morning! Blessings to you!
That’s awesome. I hope you found some other moments this week.
Your blog always calls me to slow down and turn toward Jesus…and I’m sure it does that for others too. Thankful for your voice in this crazy world!
I’m so glad for that, Amy. Thank you.
Yes to all of this. To seeking soothing soul solace in the deepening and quieting Lovely poem and gorgeous photos. Thanks, Sandy! Have a blessed day. ?
I hope you’ve had a beautiful week, Joy.
God’s vast magnificence and His peace can reach one’s soul in a very special way in the nature – by the sea … to be embraced by the water is a wonderful symbolic to be embraced by God’s care. love and presence … Thank you Sandy!
Ahhh, Nina. Embraced by the water. That’s beautiful. And it strikes me that it starts in the womb…
That’s a beautiful poem. I think every day is a good day to still the spirit and deepen our faith.
The stunning photos just went well with the message too. 🙂
Every day. Yes. Love to you, Lux.
I want to jump into these pictures!
Hope you have a great week, Sandy. xo
Ha! The real thing would probably be a better choice. 😉