“Hills and Valleys, Stop Signs and Detours”

My good friend Patty had a gift for finding wisdom and inspiration even on a routine commute home from a long day at work. Her words are powerful and serve as the inspiration for my writing today. "Tonight on my way home from work I was in awe of the pretty sunset. I noticed that when I went down a hill into a deep valley I couldn't see how beautiful it was. Then I came to the top of the hill and there it was again even brighter and more wonderful. It came to mind how in life when we are in the valley we can't always see the beauty of life but from the mountain top 'wow what a view!'....Just keep rollin down the road!" (Patty Berry Rhodes) The journey we call “life” is rarely a straight smooth road for very long. I believe that God doesn’t want us to become too fond of this earthly existence because He has such wonderful things in store for us in Heaven. That said, we are definitely in this life for some period of time and must journey over whatever road is ahead of us. I love the smooth stretches of life; those times when things are going well, relationships are stable and healthy, our physical health is good, our children are well-behaved, and the grocery store is consistently stocking that brand of coffee that makes morning so much better. Then there are those “other” times in life. The road gets crooked and one must pause at a series of stop signs or take a detour. We’ve all been there. That great job is gone, that marriage hits a rocky spot, a loved one dies, plans for that dream home crumble, or maybe we simply find ourselves questioning our purpose in life wondering what it is we are supposed to be doing next. Most of the class of 2012 has marched across the stage receiving a diploma, certificate, or degree of some sort. With the possible exception of the kiddos graduating from kindergarten, most are filled with a mix of excitement, uncertainty, and even outright fear about the future. We are excited about the future, but long to have that stability of what we have always known. We want the adventure of a road with twists and turns, but really want the security of that perfectly flat four-lane highway absent rush hour traffic of course! The reality is that we will have more of the hills and valleys and stop signs and detours than perfect driving conditions. We will have the unexpected curve of a job loss in the midst of a “life-storm” that nearly makes visibility impossible. The good news is that we never have to face the difficult journey alone. God is always there to help us navigate the stop signs and detours, the hills and valleys, and the storms and sunshine days that await us. We have to rely on Him when all logic may say that we should hit the brakes and pull over on the side of the road. The problem with pulling over is that at some point, you must start your engine, hit the gas, and hit the road once again. It is often much better to slow down and keep on course as best you can asking God for help in finding your way. If circumstances cause you to stop, those same circumstances will be tough to overcome in starting up again so don’t stop unless absolutely necessary. Above all else, remember this; the view from the top of the hill is always well worth the journey through the valley! Be Blessed Today and Always -- Winnie