The Watcher of Moments

by Amber Ginter

THE WATCHER OF MOMENTS

I am the watcher of moments. 

A million stories have unfolded in my presence—

fragments your finite minds ache to hold, 

yet so quickly let slip away. 

I stand unmoving

while flailing feet scatter across my plains. 

There is a moment, just before the dawn rises, 

or dusk folds into night, 

when shadows cascade over my crevices. 

Avid hikers turn back at the dark. 

Nocturnal creatures stir. 

The bravest souls reflect their hearts in the shadowlands of vain pursuit.

Life is full of mountains and valleys—

but most do not linger. 

I watch them hurry: frantic steps, shallow breath.

They climb in quick strides, chasing what eyes can’t see—

a fleeting rush of achievement, a hit of false triumph,

a restless pilgrimage across my deepest grooves. 

At my summit, they rarely pause. 

They do not look. Do not really see

the sun waving hello,

the moon begging them to stay, 

or the sky opening wide. 

A glance, then down they go, 

missing the quiet awe I offer. 

Their minds race: faster. 

Get it together. 

So many peaks remain. 

So many burdens yet to bear. 

But I know this:

Life is not meant to be rushed,

neither mountains nor valleys. 

Both are part of you. Both are part of me. 

Your worth is not in what you create. 

You did not paint the sky, 

nor sculpt the wind, 

nor carve the stones at my feet. 

You did not stroke the brush,

nor erode the steps, 

nor etch the craters within my walls. 

Yet when you pause, when you truly rest, 

you begin to create from a place of awe, not exhaustion. 

I have stood while centuries passed. 

I hold your shadows. I hold your breath. 

And I will wait. I always will. 

Tomorrow will come and go.

I will still be here:

Waiting. Steady. True. 

A quiet witness to all your journeys. 

Do you dare to linger?

To pause, just long enough to see?

I hope you will.  

AMBER GINTER

Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up, Amber looked for faith and mental health resources and found none. Today, she offers hope for young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond simply reading their Bible and praying more, because you can love Jesus and still suffer from anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith lens perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.