Tag: spirituality

Hills and Valleys

In this thing called life, there will be hills.

Times when things are going well –

Times when you feel like you’re on top of the world.

In this thing called life, there will also be valleys.

Times when you just can’t handle any more bad news.

Times when you feel like you’re digging your way

Out of a deep, dark, and muddy pit.

The introduction of these hills and valleys

Into our lives cannot be altered –

But what can be changed is our perspective.

How will we respond to the hills and valleys of life?

I pray that we will respond with grace…

Both the giving of grace and the receiving of it.

I pray that we will respond with gratitude,

Focusing on the many blessings in our lives.

I pray that we will respond with peace…

A peace that can only be found in the Prince of Peace.

So as we continue on our journeys,

Let us respond with grace, gratitude, and peace

To the hills and the valleys of life.

*Note: I got the idea for this poem from the song “Hills and Valleys,” by Tauren Wells. You can listen to the song here. 🙂

Photo Credit: Shontz Photography

In His Perfect Time

I wrote the below post two days ago but wasn’t able to publish it at that time. So I’m posting it now. 🙂

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
    and he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
    out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
    and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
    They will put their trust in the Lord.” ~ Psalm 40:1-3

This is the passage of Scripture from which I drew the name of my blog. The words speak to my heart. I don’t know why, but the metaphor of being stuck in a pit with only God’s strong arms to pull me out truly resonates with me. It’s real. It’s graphic. And it meets me where I am.

I’ve been feeling down the past several days – well, let me rephrase that – I’ve been feeling more down than usual. I’ve been in the pit. The deep, dark, muddy, pit. And it’s not a fun place to be.

I’ve tried to be grateful for the little things. I’ve tried to focus on the cleaning and preparing that was necessary for having our friends over tomorrow night. I’ve tried to relax and enjoy the weekend with my Hubby. But I still feel that dark cloud enveloping me, following me wherever I go.

But you know what? God’s got me. I may be feeling low, but He is there for me. In the passage above, David writes about how He waited patiently for God to answer him. I’m not being very patient at this point in time. I want help NOW. But my Father wants me to trust Him and to await His perfect timing.

David also wrote that God gave him a new song. I could really use a song right about now. And I pray that the Lord will fill my heart with a harmony that only He can give. That’d He’d bring back my joy and peace and strength. That He’d pull me up out of this gloomy pit.

And I know He will…in His perfect time. ❤

He Knows What We Need

God knew what I needed before I did.

I was feeling quite down after returning from my psychiatrist appointment. Although our talk went okay, there was a problem with paperwork that he filled out for me – incorrectly – when I really needed for it to be accurate. And then I got stuck in traffic on the way home, which didn’t help…but I gained a new sense of appreciation for my husband, who deals with bad traffic every single day going to and from his job.

Anyways, I got home and made dinner (tacos) and tried to do a few chores. I did a little laundry, a few dishes, and then sat down at the computer to try to write. But I just couldn’t. Normally I enjoy writing, but I was so down that I didn’t even have the energy to do that. I also had a headache. At my whit’s end, I got down on my knees and prayed. I prayed that God would give me wisdom to know how I should spend the time He had given me, and the strength to carry it out. And do you know what? He answered! 🙂

I felt a nudge to go out for a walk. I didn’t really feel like it, as I had no strength and I had already been out for a walk with our dog, Daisy, earlier in the day. Plus it was quite warm outside, and I’m not a fan of the heat. But I slid on my sandals, grabbed my keys, and hit the sidewalk. It wasn’t too warm, there was a nice breeze, and the sun was peeking through the trees. I wish I would have brought my camera, because there were some beautiful trees in bloom. But it was okay – I took pictures with my eyes!

When I returned from the walk, I felt significantly better. I guess the sunshine and the air and the exercise was what I needed. And God knew that – I just had to ask.

So when you’re feeling depressed or anxious, go straight to God. You may not know what is the best thing to help, but He is aware of exactly what you (and I) need – He’s just waiting for us to turn to Him in prayer. ❤

Photo Credit: Redd Angelo