How?

To lift something and then drop it...

To hold something and yet drop it...

Depending on the context, this is crazy or makes perfect sense. You wouldn't want to lift or hold something only to break it moments later. However, if we are talking about "unto God", then it makes perfect sense. One of the hardest things I have had to learn is the art of letting go, releasing, giving in to, surrendering. Maybe it is perfectionism (that I am thankfully not bound by any more but still a tempting habit), the need to be self-controlled, that makes it hard to also be a person of faith. My mind and spirit are in constant strife as I am pulled back and forth between faith and works.

God's desire is our complete surrender to His will, because it is in His perfect will for each of us that He can bless us and He also receives glory to His name. The way, the reason, we surrender will come from our love for Him. It is out of His love for us that we can return love to Him and to others. "We love Him because He first loved us."

So, in my quest to surrender, I must learn to lift up my requests to the Lord and then let them go, allowing God to work all things out according to His purpose, in His timing. Maybe I should sit on my hands so they can stop interferring?! haha

Lord God, Thank You for the simple truth that You love us. You want the very best for Your children so if we can simply surrender our wills, wants and cares, You will provide according to Your plan and purpose. Although I cannot see the how or why of the circumstances I am in, I trust You. Help me to surrender. Lead my steps, taking me out of the way. Hold me close. In Your Son's name I have peace and trust. amen!

A Walk Thru the Valley

Our family is taking a vacation in the mountains this year since we did the beach last year. It is beautiful and majestic. When I have read the scriptures about going through a valley, for some reason I always envision the wide open plains, just below the mountain range much like the picture here. It wasn't until we travelled across Texas thru New Mexico by car that I realized the variety of valleys. Valleys are simply the places that rest at the base of the mountain ranges. It got me to thinking about the different types of valleys we walk through when we walk with God.

The FOREVER VALLEYS: They are deep and wide. Our destination on the other side seems to be a daunting task...nearly impossible. Sometimes we see the mountains so far off it seems impossible to get over there. The vastness of the valley before you is overwhelming and intimidating. There are so many different ways to go, there are plenty of obstacles, exhaustion already sets in simply at the thought of getting to the other side. Even as we begin the journey and stand in the middle, the supreme size of the distance yet to be travelled calls for a miracle. I miracle of patience and endurance and strength. Courage to continue forward not knowing exactly how much longer it will take, not knowing what risk we may encounter on the walk about. It would seem like a miracle to make it to the other side of this valley.

The STRAIGHT & NARROW VALLEY: Unlike the Forever Valley, this narrow valley doesn't offer you much in options. You are headed only one of two ways. There are no shortcuts either because as you look to your left and your right, the massive, rocky structure is too steep to possibly attempt to climb. There is not a lot of danger-you can see where you are headed, it is just a matter of enduring the walk. Beware however, a loose boulder may stumble on your path and you may endure a delay. Fortunately, it is small compared to the mountain and much easier to get past.

Then you have the WINDING & NARROW VALLEY: This valley may be the most exhausting, most frightening and most laborious to travel. See, with the other two valleys, you can see where you are headed, obstacles can be seen most of the time, in advance, and you have a visual on your destination. A winding, twisting and turning valley is full of unknowns and that alone can be terrifying in and of itself for a person to turn back and refuse to take a path of less resistance. With each turn there is a new set of

obstacles, new terrain, new hazards but at the same time, there may be a bridge over an extremely rocky path. A new facet is exposed at each turn and it may may the walk a little easier or it may be very difficult and scary as you round each corner. All this and no destination in sight until you have arrived! You are walking solely by faith, fully aware, in the moment, prepared and equipped for anything that comes your way. This valley is equally as frightening as it is thrilling.

The times in my life where I seem to grow the most is when I am getting through a valley. No matter what type of valley you are walking through to get to your mountaintop, you will need patience, endurance, confidence, courage, faith, trust, hope and joy. If you loose your joy, you loose hope, and if you loose hope, you loose everything else.

No matter what you are facing, equip yourself. First with your armor (Ephesians), salvation being the foundation of your faith, then with truth:

God is Who He says He is-

God can do what He says He can do-

I am who God says I am-

I can do all things through Christ-

God's Word is alive and active in me!

YOU HAVE TO TRUST HIM!!!! You will never trust yourself or someone else to be strong enough to carry you across your valley! You may not ever feel that you can do what is before you, the mountain you need to climb may take a while and yes, it may be difficult and it may be deep and wide, but you will get to the other side. He is faithful to work out all things to His glory and your good (Romans 8:28). But you have to TRUST HIM!!!! Then, at your point of surrender, He will bless you and equip you in the way only HE can, by GRACE, MERCY and LOVE!

GOD LOVES YOU and HE IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY and TOMORROW!!!! He is the unmovable and unshakable Rock who holds EVERYTHING in the Palm of His hands. AMEN!!!

KEEP WALKING...the other side is AWESOME!!!

It will be an adventure to remember!!