I have been blogging for over 13 years. Throughout that time, I have published hundreds, if not thousands, of pieces and articles. Some you may have seen before; some you may not have.

They say sharing is caring, and in Vintage Discovery, I am using this space to share pre-published treasures that are old but may be new to you. I hope you find them just as insightful, encouraging, and a blessing as when they were first published.

Presently, I am sitting here watching the bees and other pollinators enjoying the last of this season’s lavender. They are working hard, getting their last sip in while I just sit and watch. I have wanted to cut this lavender for a long time, but it gives me joy watching them enjoy it.

Come with me today as we revisit Porch Moments and let us enjoy the gift of these simple things in life that are before us right now.

 

At the time of this writing, I have a sink full of dishes waiting for me to tend to them.  Normally, my routine is to stay caught up on chores such as these, but this day, I decided the dishes could wait.

As we are coming down to the end of the warmer season, I have felt the drive in me to make sure I grab bits of it to savor before it all goes to sleep for the winter.  So sometimes, things I want done, according to my normal routine, can wait because the days of enjoying lounging with a book on the porch are going to be fewer, and then down to none, the closer we draw deeper into the changing seasons.

And that’s okay.  The book of Ecclesiastes tells us about a time for everything and of the different seasons under the sun (Ecclesiastes 3:1-13).  Everything has its proper place in our lives, including the enjoyment of grabbing these small but significant moments.

As we are coming into what I call our “tucking in” time, and as the days of their cold seem to hang around well past their prime, we will yearn and wish for these “porch moments”.  We will plan, dream, and look forward to revisiting these simple pleasures of life.

While each season brings its own pleasures and reasons for gratefulness, the ones we can’t touch during that time are the ones we ponder about, wishing we had grabbed more of those momentary pleasures.

Life really adds up to something beautiful when we find the value in every day we have been given, regardless of the season.  But while we are here, enjoy what’s before you today.  Invest in the time you have with those you love and spend time with them now.

It is inevitable that the seasons of life will change.  So today, step into whatever your “porch moment” is and enjoy the gift of that present time that God has blessed you with.

Life is not all about work, pursuing, or being all that you can be.  Those are important and have their place on our schedules.  But so do rest, and just taking a free moment to breathe, step back, and enjoy this beautiful life God has given.  We are here.  Look up from your work – not to be lazy or idle, but to make space in it all to simply savor your own “porch moment”, whatever it may look like.  For one day, you’ll wish you had.

There is good to be found in every moment God has given.

“I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.  And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.” – Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

“There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.” – Ecclesiastes 2:24

“Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.” – Ecclesiastes 8:15

“The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” – Psalm 126:3

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24

“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” – Psalm 27:13

Isn’t life good?