But God

by Michele Boy | August 29, 2024

Here we are at the end of August 2024. Fall is so close I can almost touch it and then bam a 100 degree day. For some that is energizing. I am more of a cooler weather fan.
  We are supposed to leave for the state fair next Thursday. I say supposed to because you never know what may happen. 
 Last week I wrote about how battles are hard sometimes!  Well, on a similar note,  I have been thinking about the Kansas state motto Ad astra per aspera, Latin for “To the stars  through difficulties.”
  This year we as a family have met a lot of our goals but they haven’t come easily. 
Not sure why I think when the going gets tough, things fall apart. 
  Sometimes life gets hard and you have to push through, buckle down, fight for it. 
 But other times you need to let go. How do you know when? 
  My husband sets goals and we are going to complete them no matter what. I on the other hand tend to roll with things a little better. Sometimes the world is just out of our control. 
 I am glad I have a partner who is the opposite of me. We can draw on each other’s strengths. 
 When I am ready to throw in the towel, he is there to say keep digging we aren’t done yet.
 When he keeps digging, sometimes I have to be the one to say stop, big picture, let’s refocus.
  Last week I talked about drawing closer to God. 
 When things are really beautiful I thank Him. And when things start to go downhill, I don’t. But then I notice when it seems like it is all falling apart, I seek Him with desperate prayers.
  The other day I had a conversation with someone about a few miracles I have witnessed in my life - just a few magical moments that I knew God was there. 
  I realized that lately my spiritual life has been meh. I give myself a little grace because change always shakes me a bit. But I also see that in those shaky times, I don’t turn to Him right away. 
  I tend to complain a lot about little frustrations and irritations. 
 But discussing with someone the goodness and glory of God reminded me of how amazing His blessings are.  
  They often come out of nowhere, like little surprises, gifts. And when my prayer life is blah, that is how I see the world. Blah. 
 But God! 
  When I pray bold prayers like - God I can’t wait to see what you do today, I feel more expectant of good things. I watch for them. In fact, my shift in attitude makes me look for ways to bless others. 
  I am not a morning person. I am not a nice morning person. Yet, I woke at 3:20 AM yesterday, and went for a three mile walk at 5:30 AM thanks to coffee and friends.
  All the while walking, inside I was smiling, thank you God.
 Are you waiting expectantly for something good to happen? 
 Honestly, lately, my prayers have been please don’t let these bad things happen. Please let this go ok. 
  So today I am praying for  you to find the good, to find someone to bless, to find the joy, and realize sometimes there are great joys in the midst of big battles! 
 I was watching the movie Armageddon the other night. Before the possible end of the world, Gracie says something like, “Do you think anyone else is this happy right now?”
And her fiance replies,“I hope so or what are we fighting for?”
  I guess I am saying don’t wait till things are perfect. 
 Once upon a time a friend said right before bed tell me five things that went well that day. 
I started to practice it and then randomly throughout the day repeat it. 
  Sometimes I just need reminders. My daughter called home with her grades on Monday and I got to hear her voice for just a minute or two and I beamed. 
 I was so happy to hear her. I stopped and said thank you.     
  During a tougher moment, I smiled and said thank you God for giving me my husband or I probably would have walked away from a certain situation. 
  Thank you God for providing what I need even when I don’t understand. And thank you God for the fun, little blessings along the way that make life so sweet. 
  Sometimes the miracles are staring you in the face and we just need to refocus.