Image used with permission of: gifted photographer Susan Etole...See her beautiful blog.
"God is always doing something great before our eyes; his creation is always bursting into view before us. The trouble is, more often than not, we don’t see it, simply because we don’t stop to look...."- Michelle DeRusha*
Her son's nausea forced them to slow down, and look more closely at the beauty displayed in Yellowstone Park. Michelle wisely observed how God's creation reveals His greatness, when we stop long enough to really see.*
It struck me how many times God has used, what I have deemed problems, to slow me down, and get my attention.
To.force.me.to.stop.running. To look around. To look up, to Him.
What has God used to slow me down? Chronic pain (RSI- repetitive strain injury in both forearms); unexpectedly losing my job; infertility; illness.
In hindsight, these problems were in reality God's gift to me: so I would slow down, and savor my relationship with Him. Deepen my roots in His love.
(In honesty, it has taken me years of wrestling with God to be able to write the above sentence.)
It takes time to develop depth, and to discover joy - the kind not dependent on circumstances. It is a joy found in the greatness of His presence WITH us.
You will make me known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. -Psalm 16:11
I am still in process, but I'm seeing more of His greatness than before, by God's grace.
What have you seen when you have slowed down? How has God encouraged you to be still for a while?
Thank you for letting your soul stop, and rest here with me. I appreciate you!
*Michelle writes when their family slowed down, they saw a mountain goat and... Read more: here.
P.S. For my e-mail subscribers...Thank you! FYI: My sweet husband added links on my sidebar to some of the posts I've been reading that you may be interested in...all encouraging blogs.
JUST FOUND OUT TODAY IS... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MICHELLE! You inspired today's post...Thank you!
Linking up with God-graced sisters: encouraging Jennifer of Getting Down with Jesus, and thoughtful Michelle of Graceful.
© Soul Stops/Dolly Lee 2012.