A Song in the Valley

There are some seasons in our life that are valleys. Big or small, short lived or long, we are going to have them. Tough situations, relationships, loss, grief, and just life, can bring us to a valley. I believe there are two types, the first being the valley we approach where we can see the other side. We gear ourselves up mentally and physically to make a good go of it, and get through it as quickly as possible. Then there is the valley we are dropped in unexpectedly, no prep time, no "gearing up"... these tend to be tougher.

Recently, I walked through the "dropped" into valley. While the story of my valley is personal, I will say the hurt and sadness was deep. I didn't realize how deep it was until I climbed uphill a little, and looked back.

I specifically remember the day, and time, and place that I walked "uphill" a bit out of my valley. It happened driving home from church and as I turned onto my street, I hummed a little song to myself. The sound of my own voice humming, stood out to me. I realized that I hadn't sang in weeks. I have sang all my life and it is not rare for me to sing morning, noon and night. I used to keep my brothers and sister up at night with my belting rendition of The National Anthem, and of course Mariah Carey songs. But it was then, in that spot, on that day, that I realized there had been no song of mine in my valley.

I had not uttered a song, I had no false strength, no "fake it until you make it" attitude. As I think more on this, I know the valley was not a Godless place. It was a God filled place. There may not have been a song on my lips, but God was in that place. God was healing me, helping me, comforting me. God was singing over me. I see myself in that valley, not because I had sinned, not because God was putting me there to learn, but for no other reason than life is hard sometimes...and I see a banner over me. It reminds me of the song I used to sing in children's church.

"For I am my beloveds and He is mine.... His banner over me is love."
"He brought my to His banqueting table... His banner over me is love."

There had been no song of my own, but there had been a song.

Through the valley, I had peace.
Through the valley, I had trust.
Through the valley, I had faith.
Through the valley, God waved a banner of love over me.

A relationship with God means that deep down God gives us the strength, the hope, the faith, and the trust to get through. It's knowing him that allows us to persevere. Was the valley easy? No. Did it hurt? Many times, yes. But I guess what I am trying to say is that God was with me. God shows up in our valleys.

His grace is sufficient, His power is made perfect in our weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

He was relentless in showing me His love. He showed me His love in the quiet, in my tears, and hurt. He showed me His love through the hugs of my family. Through the kindness of my husband. Through the comfort of friends. He showed me love in a way that only God can.

If you don't know God, I have to say this: there is nothing on this earth like the peace and love of God. If you are walking through your own valley and don't know God but want to know him, please talk to me or anyone else you know who has a relationship with Him. Because life can get hard, and valleys can be deep, but the love of God can reach all places, hurts, fears, and hearts.

Psalm 84: 5-7
"Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

The last thing I have to say about the valley, is sometimes we want to blame God or be mad at Him. Please know this: He is the only one who can fully be there with you. Don't push him away. Turn to Him, rely on Him for strength and let Him love you.
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I wrote the above post almost a year ago. I didn't have the strength at the time to post it.  But now I do; I believe it will help someone. The situation of the valley has not changed, and maybe one day, when I am brave enough, I will have the courage to put it all into words. But I can say that I have changed. My biggest fear at first is that it would change me, and now I can say, I am glad it has. My faith has grown SO MUCH. My love and trust in God has changed. The strength I have, that comes from Him, surprises me. My grace has grown. My realness in hurt has changed.

Overall, even though I still face tough moments...or days...or if I am honest weeks. I am learning that the events, emotions, doubt, fear, confusion or pain is temporary and under it all, on the other side of that, at the end of that place, is peace and trust. I am learning to continually give all things to God. We are in this together, and knowing He is with me, is the MOST peace I could ever ask for.


I pray God's sweetest blessings for you.