Loving Him More through Darkest Valleys

Gently Rolling Hills

Hello, friend. I am honored by your presence. Do you hear the breeze whispering to us? “Come! Follow me; enjoy the mild weather and ever-so-pleasant view along these gently rolling hills.” And your company is the beautiful bow atop this gorgeous day. The pathway is so much more enjoyable with you along to visit. Another pair of eyes is always welcome. Let’s follow hiking advice from the Father of our National Parks, John Muir. He said, “I don’t like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains - not hike!” So today we saunter.

I have had the privilege of being on life’s journey for many decades. Of course, on any worthwhile trip, one must expect twists and turns, even learning to embrace the ups and downs.

Writing this story has been a new journey for me. In the beginning I envisioned this to simply be an editing project. I wanted to honor my sister and her legacy of faith and planned to edit her reflections. I would need to write a short introduction and perhaps a brief afterword. Not too big of a project, right?

But I must now admit that this simply-editing-project is demanding more. I realized that I owe it to you, my fellow traveler, to share other parts of the story, including some of those twists, turns, ups and downs that have been part of my journey.

I packed a lunch — fresh fruit, cheese and crisp bagels. Shall we stop by this brook and enjoy its music while we have lunch?

My dream home will have just such a happy, bubbling brook across the back corner of the wooded lot. It will be the perfect stream in which to discover crawdads and to create small dams.

I have learned that a critical component of happiness is being able to see the beauty along the way and being able to laugh at my many foibles. Some days I just shake my head in disbelief over the contradictions that slip out of my mouth and display themselves blatantly to everyone around. Some contradictions are frightening, but many times I just have to laugh as well.

Take poetry, for example. I taught English and literature, but I must admit there is a lot of poetry that I don’t understand. I even admitted that fact to my students (while assigning them a fairly extensive poetry project). Secretly, I wondered when the literacy police would come knocking on my door. But, saying it gave me freedom to explore why I felt that way. Do I really hate it?

Not at all — I love poetry that speaks to me. The challenge of using just a few words to convey an amazing idea or feeling calls deeply to my inner wordsmith. Take for example, Carl Sandburg’s poem “Fog” — “The fog comes on little cat feet. It sits looking over harbor and city on silent haunches and then moves on.” Those 21 words create a flying carpet, capable of taking the reader to many different times and places.

As I thought further back into my relationship with poetry, I realized that the poetry of King David in the Bible has resonated with me for multiple decades. I find freedom in David’s poetry — freedom to be sad, happy, depressed, elated, angry, reflective, grateful.

Psalms 23 is one of the best-known of the one hundred and fifty psalms. Initially, it was used by ancient Hebrews in their worship but now is read, recited and sung by people the world over. Of course, I grew up reciting the King James version — which I love. But, I also appreciate many of the more current translations that broaden my understanding. This is from the New Living Translation.

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I have all that I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows;

He leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley,

I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.

You honor me by anointing my head with oil.

My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalms 23, NLT)

To me, this means that the holy, just and loving God that I see in nature, creation and people and whom I read about in the Bible, personally looks after me because I agree that someone should and I have asked Him to handle that not-so-small-task. In His care, I can rest confidently and be content. He provides what I need, although not always what I want. When I turn to Him, He brings refreshment, peace and joy. He shows me the path to blessing because He promised to do that and He cannot be false to His promises. He cannot break His word.

Even when I experience dark times, I do not need to fear because He has promised to be with me always. He continually provides the comfort I need and takes care of me right in front of those who would rejoice at my failures. He shows that I am special to him and my life is overflowing with gifts and blessings. His mercy and love is with me always and He plans for me to be with Him always. But I must trust Him enough to look for those blessings, to peek around to discover His mercy and love.

That was a delightful lunch. Let’s walk a bit and work the kinks out. Here is a well-marked pathway; we can relax, knowing the way is clear.