Mountains and Valleys

The Sunday before Father's Day, our minister Truman, preached on the mountains and valleys of our life. He used Psalms 23 as the scripture.

I put Truman's sermons in powerpoint. I read the sermon and thought it was a good sermon. I ran video that day so I skimmed it again as we were practicing. When Truman preached it, he did a wonderful job and really made me think. Our family was about halfway up the mountain, We were comfortable. Life could improve, we could be doing better. It wasn't until later that afternoon the sermon really hit home and because of circumstances we were sent on the fast track down into that deep, dark valley!

Remember rolling down hills as kids? It was a lot of fun! This time rolling down that mountain was not fun at all. The valley is a scaring place! The valley causes doubts, arguments, darkness, all of the negative adjectives you can think.

I've been in the valley, several times! I really did not want to be there again! This valley could have been avoided, but still we were there.

I had plenty to whine about and for good reason. But I had been through worse. I'd like to think I was learning trust and faith. I kind of think I failed most days in that department.

Maybe God felt one or more of us needed some refining. Maybe we needed to see sitting on the side of the mountain was not good enough or that it was a short, quick fall to the valley. Maybe we needed to be reminded that there are blessings while in the valley or that probably while we are in the valley is the time we should be praising God the most!

We are coming out of the valley and at the foot of the mountain again. Of course that climb up is one step forward and two steps back!

Some blessings I found while deep in the valley:
1. The bond between Lacey and myself. We went for a ride to try to breathe and find fresh air. We ended up in Bentonville Arkansas doing stuff we wouldn't normally do and actually having fun doing it.
2. My parents are the best. I already knew this but it was nice to be reminded.
3. I found things in my life that needs work.
4. My leg is healing. The infection is gone. The pain is getting better.
5. Lacey has a good head on her shoulders. She has watched and learned. She's had several curve balls and she has hit them out of the park. She has survived and continued to grow and get stronger! She has good friends. She is doing her best in school because she wants to make a difference. She's chosen this cute guy named Austin to be her boyfriend and we adore him. They are really good for each other!
6. Something as simple as getting away and going to a farmer's market can help put a relationship back on track!

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