From the Mountain to the Valley

Ladies let me give you a tip: the spiritual life is one glorious ride! God has been revealing himself practically everywhere I turn! I cannot give words to convey how my soul is feeling. I have seen God take a child home; yet there is joy in the family left behind. I have seen God work a miracle in a young woman's life following a traumatic brain injury. I have seen God restore in full my marriage. In addition to these instances God has been revealing himself personally to me not only during my time in his word but also in the mundane duties of the day. There are many more examples I could list but will save for another time.

Now for the next tip: when you're on the mountain top - get ready to find yourself in the valley! Let me explain. In the past week here are three things that have happened:

1) We found out that all of the money Kevin had been having deducted from his pay toward his retirement had never been deposited to his account! After making several phone calls, emails and faxes; it was discovered that his money had in fact never been put into his account (or anyone else's for that matter)! An error had been made by his company and within hours the error was corrected and the money put in. The only way we knew about it was from receiving his quarterly statement and seeing that nothing was in it! Talk about coming UNGLUED! Wow! I managed but honestly, I just barely managed. The lessons I learned were that grace needs to be extended from me to others, just as God has extended grace to me. Forgiveness for the one who made the mistake and trust that it won't happen again. My descent from the spiritual mountain began....

2) Jensen had a relapse which brought me to my "sacred place" in my home praying to God to give the doctors wisdom and for calmness of spirit to her mommy and daddy. Lesson learned is that even in the times in life that are scary, I KNOW that God is there in the midst of the trouble and I can TRUST him in all things. Further down the mountain side I go.....

3) Monday I learned that our lawsuit is indeed going to trial! This was NOT what I had been praying for at all! In fact, just the opposite! I now find myself in the valley. No, I am not alone. No I am not depressed. Yes, I am a bit anxious. I am learning to pray for the people who have brought the lawsuit against us and I am asking that God work out his purpose in all this according to his promise that all things work for the good to those who love him. He has not yet revealed what that may be unless it is a major dose of patience and trust.

The largest lesson I have learned recently is that God is not a Genie in a Bottle to be rubbed and granting us our wishes. He is sovereign. He is holy. We are to worship him and give him praise IN EVERY circumstance we find ourselves. We are not breathing because we make ourselves breath - we breath because he allows it. He doesn't work for us - we are to serve him.

The practical life lesson here is when you find yourself discouraged by your circumstances you can lift yourself up by taking the focus off of yourself (or the situation) and focusing on God and praying for and encouraging others. Believe me, I did that this past week.....and ladies, it works.

Thus, this lesson we are studying is finding its mark right in the middle of my heart. Very practical lessons for a very practical life.

I find myself looking for God in every little thing these days. I find myself ready to listen, watch and see if there is something he wants me to do. I am growing. I am experiencing the joy found on the mountain top even in the valley I now find myself. I choose to give God the glory, honor and praise he so definitely and rightly deserves!

Have a good week everyone.