I love, love, love when the pieces start coming together, don’t you? When you have made your way up the mountain and you get to rest a second and a bigger picture starts to emerge. Especially after a long season in the valley filled with turmoil and difficulty!
I found this morning that no matter what difficulty is still lurking- I am no longer in the valley. And I am so thankful to have had that moment of reflection and clarity.
In the past year or so, the tangible chaos of my life has settled immensely. The day to day physical act of parenting has lessened as the kids have grown older and more self-sufficient. But as that happened it led to sitting with the intangible fallout and emotions of my decisions, the weight of my life’s responsibilities and the relentless push and pull of “what-if’s” and “could have done’s”.
- I had moved 1000 miles from home.
- I had gone through with a divorce after 18 years.
- I became a grandma that didn’t live close enough to have the relationship I dreamed would exist.
- My children are and were launching and building lives that no longer have me in the center.
It was just personally a very heavy season. Lots of emotions. Many conflicting feelings. And I am thankful to be on the other side. I am thankful to be able to reflect rather than sit in the middle of it all again.
I want to encourage anyone beginning a new journey that seems daunting. Whether its parenting, relationships, or career opportunities. Give it to God first. He’s already seen where your heading. Its all part of his plan and sometimes whether you fight it or float through it – you’re going on the journey.
I want to tell you that;
- Some days all I could do was keep my head down and mouth closed.
- Sometimes singing 90’s R&B, or classic rock, or profanity filled screaming music was just as therapeutic for a long drive as singing K-love
- I went to church not knowing how and if God would show up
- I showed up for my kids even when I was distracted
- I messed things up and forgot things
- Even when I chose grace and forgiveness, I felt resentful and angry
- I refused to be led into any new or big decisions with only my heart
- I realized how much of myself I was giving away socially and scaled my commitments and relationship expectations way back, even though putting me first felt selfish- it wasn’t
In spite of all those things, I’m here on the other side and I am so thankful. I am in awe of what God can do. And I want you to know that you will be out of your valley again too.
There is nothing too hard for God. Nothing he can’t restore. And take heart because none of it lasts forever. I just want to leave you with the verses that were most helpful to me during those time in hopes that it will uplift you today and give you some peace.
Jeremiah 32:27 “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?
Joel 2:25-32 “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten
Psalm 30:5…weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.
Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Please share some of your favorite valley verses and let’s encourage each other to keep climbing!
Take care friends!
Life on Cloud Ten 