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What I (Almost) Didn't See

Friends, I am so excited to introduce you today, to my friend, Michelle Greer. Her blog is a place of beauty where she celebrates the best of family and homemaking. Welcome her to the oasis by following her here and liking her here!
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“Do you not know?
   Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
   the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
   and his understanding no one can fathom.
 He gives strength to the weary
   and increases the power of the weak.
 Even youths grow tired and weary,
   and young men stumble and fall;
 but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint.”—Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV)

When I started blogging in January, it was the time of the year when everyone makes resolutions.  One of my goals was to try to grow closer in my walk with God. But, in everyday life, I find it very difficult.  I let all of the every day “stuff” rule my life.  I get caught up in all of the little things and don’t “feel” God the way I should.  I don’t listen to him. I don’t talk to him. Not every minute of every day. I try to deal with everything myself. But, I think we all know where that usually gets me.  It’s not a content, happy place.

My goal is to get to a place where I’m always thinking about God.  A place where I can feel him infuse my whole life. I’m not there yet. I still get caught up in the “other” things.

There was a time over the summer when my husband was working a lot of hours out of town, which left me alone with the kids all week long. My family lives in Florida and I’m in Ohio now. I had just gotten back from a two week trip to Florida to visit my family. So, in addition to having the kids all to myself, I was missing my family. A lot.

I was exhausted. 

I was trying really hard to be a good mom in the midst of frustrating week.  The kids and I went to the mall to paint ceramics, which should have been fun.  But, the kids finished before I did. I wanted to finish mine and they were getting a little crazy.  So, a trip that was supposed to be fun, ended up being another frustrating moment for me.  And, when we left the mall, I was upset.

We were getting strapped into the van and my son said, “Look!!!” I looked around and finally saw what he was looking at. It was a beautiful cloud with all of the colors of the rainbow. It was absolutely beautiful.

I would never have seen the rainbow cloud if Logan wouldn’t have pointed it out, because I was so caught up in my “blah, negative” feelings. It was a nice little reminder to slow down and just enjoy the beautiful things around me. And, it was like a little sign from God that everything was going to be okay. It was also a reminder that I need to slow down and appreciate everything that I have. If I put my trust in God, He will help me through.  Although I grow tired and weary, He does not.  He’s there to give me strength so that I can enjoy the beauty He has created.

I know that if I just slow down a little, I would be able to make that connection with God that I want and need. I could draw my strength from Him. God is always there. I just need to open my eyes, my ears and my heart.
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Michelle blogs at Heartfelt Balance Handmade Life. She originally began her blog to find a way to make extra money from home. While learning the ropes of blogging, she has discovered many wonderful blogs and made many new friends. She enjoys the creativity having a blog allows. And now, blogging is more about the adventure than about making money. She enjoys spending time with her kids, doing science projects, crafts and cooking. When she's not playing with her kids, she tries to find balance between God, hubby, kids, housework, volunteer work, etc. Michelle is still trying to find her balance. But, she's enjoying life while she does so. She blogs about a Mish-Mash of Mommy stuff.

14 comments:

  1. Thank you for this beautiful reminder to slow down.

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  2. Thank you Kristen for reading it! I wrote it to remind myself, as well. It's too easy to get caught up in things and be overwhelmed. God really does such spectacular things if we open our eyes to them.

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  3. So many of us are in a Hurry, Hurry, Hurry. Thanks for reminding us, if we slow down, we will see the beauty we might have missed.

    I am going to stop over and visit your friends blog.

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  4. Thanks for the reminder that we have to remember to breathe. Stop and smell the roses and enjoy the beautiful world God has given us. Great blog, Shannon. Have a great day!

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  5. Suzy, I am so fortunate to have so many talented writing friends like you and Michelle! :)

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  6. Shannon, thanks for introducing us to Michelle. when she mentioned the cloud her son pointed out to her, my heart became so grateful for the Lords tender mercies...those special little things He does just for Moms!
    I'm on my way to visit her blog! Happy Friday!

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  7. Ps...I'd like to invite you to add a link for Michelle's article to my Christian Moms Blog Hop. It would be such an excellent addition!

    You can access it here:
    http://riseaboveyourlimits.blogspot.com/2011/08/christian-blog-hop.html

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  8. Oh, I love this post. And I can totally relate. I'm such a task oriented and driven person. I can't tell you how many times I end a day and think to myself..."what just happened? How did I make it through nearly an entire day without stopping to pray or draw near to God?" The thing is, I have my time with Him almost every morning, but then when I move on and start my day, He's on the back burner until I lay down for sleep. That's not how it should be. I should be consulting Him all day long, even in the little things. But I do have those precious moments when I realize He's tapping me on the shoulder and showing me something beautiful, if only I'd stop and pay attention for a minute. :)

    Blessings,
    Rosann

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  9. @Michelle, isn't it amazing how God just comes unexpectedly out of nowhere like in a beautiful rainbow. Yeah, I think sometimes we need to slow down to appreciate the greatness around us.
    @Shannon, awesome post :)
    Wishing you ladies a great week,
    Barbara
    Español para Niños (Spanish for Kids)

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  10. @ My Journey, thanks for reading and stopping by my blog! I think it's the nature of a mom to get as much done in as little time as possible. We're always "rushing" something aren't we? It's important to slow down. God needed to remind me of that!
    @Suzy--It is a beautiful world, isn't it?
    @Becky Jane--I am so thankful every day for God's tender mercies and especially that I am forgiven through Jesus.
    @Rosann--I usually do my devotionals in the morning as well, and then go about my day, and forget to ask Him what I should be doing.
    @Barbara--God is always Amazing!

    Thanks everyone for understanding and for your sweet words!

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  11. I'm glad you were on the Members to Remember list today, Shannon. I really needed a dose of Jesus today. Feeling overwhelmed. Michelle's words were a great reminder to let go and let God. I follow her blog too. The both of you are gems. Thanks you.

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  12. I love Michelle's blog! I read it every week:) Motherhood is about being selfless, and that might be the toughest challenge ever to get through;) You do have to focus on every little positive thing, and remember life is short.

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  13. Michael Ann and Mommy LaDy Club, I'm blessed to have "met" you both! Thank you both for your kind words!

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  14. What a wonderful post. And what a gracious God that He doesn't get fed up with us when we ignore the blessings that surround us- but gently nudge us back to a place of peace.

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I love hearing from you! Thank you for your comments!