“Drawing Close, Encountering Joy” by Janice E. Kirk

Drawing Close, Encountering Joy

Janice E Kirk
Resource Publications (2022)
ISBN  978-1666742909
Reviewed by Susan Violante (01/2023)

I am very spiritual and have always been especially attached to this realm’s nature. It is within nature that I feel my best and always wondered why all religions always looked for God away from the natural world. “Drawing Close, Encountering Joy” by Janice E. Kirk is the missing link found in all the different ways man has found to pray to their maker. The book is a perfect tool to connect with God through his gifts to us. To recognize Him within what surrounds us instead of looking for Him far away in the heavens. The author does this by presenting a compilation of psalms, prayers, poems, and meditations, reflecting and elevating the beauty and grace of God found in nature. Through the written words and sketches, readers will discover a refreshing way to pray, to be grateful, to get inspired, and to energize their soul.

The author presents her work and art to readers structured in 5 perspectives of Nature: Dew Point Awakening, Morning Sing, Prayer Walk, Campfire Cadence, Night Watch, and Chorale Choda. In this format, I found it to be a guide to a spiritual journey that led me to discover myself as much as God within nature. The different poetry styles and visual art mixed in with prayers, psalms and song was not only effective as a tool, it also gave an entertaining factor and appreciation for the author’s talent.

Here is one of my favorite pages, to help you visualize what I mean. The page begins with a psalm followed by a sketch of the shore and ends with a poem:

“God’s sunrise will break in upon us, Shining on those in the darkness…
Then showing us the way, one foot at a time, down the path of peace.
(Luke 1:79 MSG)

Tideline Turning

Not quite land, not quite sea,
The tide line marks the way
Between loose and
And wave-washed grains.

How did you and I begin
To find the better course? –
            Your sloshing through wet sand,
            My slogging through the dry
Until our paths converged,
            Wet, tempered, dry,
            Dry eased the wet,
Transition mix that formed
A narrow way,
Firm with better footing.

Now our undulating path leads up the beach
Gulls quacking
Rush of waves
Pelicans fly single file above
Ocean home to bobbing seal
Fishing boat upon the waters
And us, together walking.”

“Drawing Close, Encountering Joy” by Janice E. Kirk is a must-have little book of inspiration for everyone looking to lift their spirits and view of the world. It is the perfect tool to begin a journey of inspired living. A five star read that will help readers achieve a five star view of the world around them and beyond.