Thursday 16 May 2013

Journeying:Where it All Starts

Every life begins with a journey. As tiny infants we have to make our way into the world to truly commence on this adventure. It is taken as we traverse the birth canal, or maybe enter the world via a Cesarean Section.

The wonder of our time in the womb is a continual marvel that we are privy to in some small measure with intrauterine images.


Though nothing fully prepares us for the moment of arrival as we await the birth of our infants. Each one unique and special.


That time period of 40 weeks (more or less) is a miracle of Divine knowledge, planning and foresight.


God knows the secret place where conception takes place and the child develops. He is with us even as we flex and grow away from public view or scrutiny.


For those few weeks of our lives we literally live, move and have our being in Him as well as in our mother's womb.


I wonder what secrets we might have whispered to us by Holy Spirit's life-giving breath?


Sadly, I can only speculate. But I am sure we are welcomed, affirmed and celebrated even before we draw breath in the world outside this maternal home.


There is a secret that I've had to sit on for a few (excruciating) weeks when I longed to shout it from the rooftops:

We are on the way to becoming grandparents at the end of this year!


And I'm so excited I want to tell all.


So here is the news - leaked out publically now with permission from my youngest son (phew!) - and here is the poem that it inspired:

'Little One'


"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb..my frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.." ~ Psalm 139:13 - 16





Little one,
barely grape-sized 
foetal-curved comma
nestling in your warm and watery cave,
I want you to know
how precious you are
to this family
and most of all to the One
who gave you spark of life
His the arms
now cradling you safe
as you stretch and grow
from tiny speck to tiny infant

His the voice
soothing with lullaby
of peace and rest
to your soul in slumber
All that you are
and all that you will be,
all the days yet ahead
span out like your starfish fingers
eagerly embracing the future

Take hold, sweet child,
take hold of His hand
and grip tight
Those are hands of love,
offering, rejoicing over you
with singing, an endless refrain
caressing with His grace

Rest there safe
until time is ripe
for your grand arrival,
when we too will
cradle, love and soothe
your tiny frame
©JoyLenton2013
"All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" ~ Psalm 139:16
This is part of a new series on journeying. I've written before about my God-sized dream journey and more aspects of life's journey will follow in time to come.

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14 comments:

  1. This is beautiful Joy! My favorite line...

    "I wonder what secrets we might have whispered to us by Holy Spirit's life-giving breath?"

    I've wondered the same and I believe it is all marvelous, coming straight from the breath of God!

    Congratulations! I am so excited for you!

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    1. Thank you, Caryn. I am so pleased you liked and could relate to this pre-natal pondering. It amplifies my excitment to be able to share it! :) xx

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  2. Congratulations! Wonderful news! Joy, what a beautiful way to celebrate a tiny new life, and what a precious poem to put in their memory box! It's beautiful.

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    1. Thank you, Helen. It is my hope that it may find a home in such a place, though the thought hadn't really crossed my mind before reading your suggestion - what a great idea! I just wanted to express my deep emotions as best I could. This is one of those poems that virtually writes themselves. :) xx

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  3. Congratulations on such wonderful blessed news for you and yours, Joy! How exciting - and the little one will one day have the great blessing of not only having a very lovely grandmother, but also being able to read the beautiful loving words you wrote to celebrate this precious life while still cradled in the womb!

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    1. Oh, how kind! Thanks, Joyce. I dearly hope so. How could they not like poetry when their father, grandma and great uncle are all poets?! Seriously, it would be an honour to have this saved as a family keepsake. Bless you, my friend. :) xx

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  4. This is lovely, and congratulations! xxxx

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    1. Hi Lauren. How lovely to see you here! Thanks very much for stopping by to offer such a sweet comment. :) xx

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  5. Congratulations a beautiful poem and a gorgeous baby coming into the world

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    1. Birthing a poem is the easy part. My daughter-in-law has the hard work to come! But we very much look forward to that day. Thank you, Kath :) xx

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  6. Congratulations Joy, a beautiful poem! Made me go all *goosebumpy*

    Love and blessings to you and yours

    Kimmie X

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    1. Oh, thank you, Kimmie. You probably went *goosebumpy* because people don't often write letters/poems to babes in the womb! But I just couldn't help myself. Love and blessing to you and yours too, my friend. :) xx

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  7. Oh, Congratulations!!! And your words are beautiful.

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    1. Thanks, Eileen! I'm so pleased you like this post. It felt very personal news to share, yet I realised it has universal application as we all start our life journey this way. :) xx

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