Wednesday, May 25, 2011

The valley isn't a nice place, but it's where we grow...


A week of heartbreak and sorrow for our community and it's impossible to understand the waste and reasons. Two teens with an entire lifetime before them are gone...and it just makes me so MAD. Mad at the Enemy for his deceitfulness and lies, mad at the world for telling these kids they aren't measuring up. And most of all, mad that hopelessness was able to steal their hearts.
Not enough words to express it, but wanted to re-post this poem for those who are in the "valley". It sucks to be there, but even in the worst of times- God has a GOOD purpose for us, to grow and bloom and shine. Oh, Lord- we are going to need SUCH a mountain top experience after the last month. I put all my hope in you, Jesus...

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It's then I have to remember,
That it's in the valley I grow,

If I always stayed on the mountain top,
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God's love,
And would be living in vain.
I have so much to learn,
And my growth is very slow,
Sometimes I need the mountain tops,
But it's in the valley I grow.

I do not always understand,
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.
My little valleys are nothing,
When I picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan's loss.
Forgive me Lord, for complaining,
When I'm feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder,
This it's in the valleys I grow.

Continue to strengthen me,
Lord, And use my life each day
To share your love with others,
And help them find their way.
Thank you for valleys, Lord,
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious,
But it's in the valleys I grow! - Tracy Mayfield


I never want to doubt that God is active, that He cares and that He is good. Lord, grant us your perspective and above all else, grant us more faith to TRUST You when we can't make sense of this life.

1 comment:

Jody Benson; Clark County Horse said...

Oh Renee, I'm so sorry. To care deeply and see the hurt and not be able to change it - heartbreaking. Your caring and faithfulness and your fight to make a difference in other lives, that is priceless and exactly how Jesus wants you and all of us to live. Thank you for your willingness to go to the valley.
Jody