My life journey lead me through many valleys of despair. From abuse, to widowhood, loneliness, breast cancer, chronic auto-immune disease leading to multiple abdominal surgeries; I spent much of my life believing that just around the next corner, I would found the mountaintop that surely God wanted me to reach. However, as time passed; I realized that deep within each valley, I felt God’s presence drawing me closer to Him. The darkness of the valley, allowed me to see the brightness of His Glory, His light. Therefore, I learned to cherish the valleys of life as gifts of God’s Grace.
That truth also fits my ministry. When I first heard God’s voice call me to write and to speak for Him; of certain, I believed He had the power to transform me and use me to spread the gospel to thousands. Perhaps I would become the next Beth Moore, or Lysa Terkeurst; but, He did need another Beth or Lysa; because He needed just me to willingly minister to whomever He desires. Often, I don’t know whose lives these writings are meant to touch. Merely, I obey; by continuing to write and leave the rest in the Hands of My Master and Savior. Teaching at Juvenile Jail, touching lives one at a time, the children’s ministry at church, and reaching into the lives of men who lost there way for a time through a ministry outreach; fills my life with God’s Joy and hope.
HERE IN THIS VALLEY, WHERE GOD KNOWS MY NAME
I’d rather stay in this valley, where God knows my name than to be anywhere else on earth; because, His presence fills this valley. Furthermore, I don’t know where He will send me tomorrow; but, I will follow, where ever that may be. A few times along this journey, I was uncertain whether tomorrow I would have a home. Maybe, I had given away too much, or failed to manage well enough; either way, money became scarce and no miracle came. The surgeries drained my energy and my finances; still, I always found the strength to work, somehow.
I remember, one such moment; while Mom lived with me; because, I supported her as well. Panicked, she questioned me, “what if we end up on the street?” I replied, “If God wants me homeless on the street corner, then I will proclaim His praise from that street corner. Maybe, that is the ministry He needs me most to perform.” Staring at me as though I had lost my mind; she replied, “Well, they would probably be able to put me in a nursing home, I hope!” I replied, “Yes, mom; I guess you don’t want to be on that street corner with me.” She said, “No”. Well, God didn’t call me to live on that street, at least not yet.
On this poetry Sunday, I wanted to share with you this poem I wrote several years ago.
GIVE ME THIS VALLEY
I cried, Lord, please help me climb
This mountain so sublime
Full of health and wealth and fame
Surely there I’d praise your name
But I heard a whispering voice
Said, for you that’s not my choice
I want you in this valley deep
Where there your joy my heart will keep
Lord, you can take that mountain high
And let me stay here by your side
In this valley filled with pain
Where I know you know my name
Give me a life where I might live
Dependent on the Grace you give
I’d rather be here by your side
Than on that great mountainside
Give me the faith and hope that’s yours
As Your spirit through me pours
To a world in need of you
Give me strength for them to view
Let me show the Glory of Your Hope
Far from that slippery slope
In the valley where you stand
Let me walk and hold Your hand
Though the Valley may be dark
You’re the light, my precious spark
You are all I need to know
Let me walk now here below
Give me the warmth of Your great smile
That casts aside my selfish guile
Remove my thoughts of pettish pity
That Your heart I might see clearly
You are the only one I need
For my soul you have now freed
By the valley that You walked
To the cross where you were mocked
So let me walk this valley too
Where there your heart I knew
Keep your mountains filled with pride
Let me stay here at Your side.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
I don’t know what valley you face today; however, I do know God loves you with an everlasting love and wants to bring you into a close relationship with Him. Do you know Him as Your Heavenly Father? Have you accepted the gift of salvation He offers you by the sacrificial atoning death of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ; because, He willing took all your guilt and shame upon Himself at Calvary.
I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity Jeremiah 29:11-14
CONCLUDING TWEETS
[tweetthis]So let me walk this valley too Where there your heart I knew[/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”Though the Valley may be dark You’re the light, my precious spark You are all I need to know” username=”effiedarlene”]
If you don’t know how to accept Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link, email me by clicking here or comment here
Newest Release
This newly released book, I dedicated to anyone who searched for love, lost a loved one, or felt the pangs of loneliness. It is a poem, I wrote reflecting my own search for love, beautifully illustrated by Ronald Barba, Most importantly, the book displays the story of God’s ever abiding love even when facing tragedy and heartbreak. Available on Amazon.
Other books I wrote can be reviewed at:
RECOMMENDATION OF ARTIST
This is an original Drawing by an amazing artist. Check out his work: http://roninron.com .
You cannot copy or duplicate this picture without permission; because of copyright laws.
featured photograph at beginning of post by permission of Aleksandr Kozlovskii on Unsplash
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.