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!
______________________

“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.
_________________

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.