He’s the God of the Hills and Valleys

After a week of the refreshing mountain-cool-air in New Mexico, yesterday we made our way home by way of stopping to overnight in Amarillo, TX. Our trustworthy driver knows when to stop for R & R.

In our travels, we see the mountaintops and the valleys....and in our lives we experience the mountaintops and the valleys. How we look at the landscape and how we look at LIFE -- determines our attitude and altitude!

Tauren Wells wrote and sings a song I love that explains the hills and valleys of our lives. The story behind his song “Hills & Valleys” was inspired by the quote “When you’re on the mountaintops of life, learn to bow low -- and when you’re in the valleys of life -- learn to stand tall.” He explained that he hopes the song encourages his listeners to remember, “We’re standing in God’s grace, and His grace is enough -- He’s the God of the hills and the valleys.” Here’s the lyrics:

"I’ve walked among the shadows -- You wiped my tears away
And I’ve felt the pain of heartbreak -- And I’ve seen the brighter days
And I’ve prayed prayers to heaven from my lowest place
And I have held Your blessings -- God You give and take away
No matter what I have, Your grace is enough
No matter where I am, I’m standing in Your love
On the mountains I will bow my life to the One who set me there
In the valley I will lift my eyes to the One who sees me there
When I’m standing on the mountain I didn’t get there on my own
When I’m walking through the valley I know I am not alone
You’re God of the hills and valleys, hills and valleys
God of the hills and valleys -- And I am not alone."

This week, the only thing that represented “the valley of the shadow of death (i.e., the pandemic)” to us was having to wear face masks in stores. Restaurants took all their service to outdoors seating, which were social-distanced. So, you might say we were “on the mountaintops” because we rarely thought about the environment that we are still trying to get accustomed to back home. Still, there are valley-experiences back in Red River. My daughter asked our waitress: “Is there anything I can pray with you about?” She replied: “That it would not rain.” What she meant is her job depends on business and because of seating outdoors, rain keeps them from business. Though this town was hopping with business in our eyes, it isn’t to the retailers who depend on high traffic. It reminds me of so many who have suffered so many loses during these last months.

Mountains AND valleys seem common in our lives. I know mountains. I’ve gazed at their beauty. I’ve skied down them. I’ve driven the winding roads to the top of them and embraced the beauty from the top looking down. And I’ve also known the mountains that are the vast, enormous obstacles and circumstances that seem beyond overwhelming. We think that if only these mountains were removed, our lives might be more peaceful. But, there must be mountains to appreciate the valleys. And perhaps, God, in all His wisdom, is wanting us to scale those mountains. He is wanting us to hike up those mountains for a “mountain-top experience” where we are refreshed, restored, nourished, and where we receive divine revelation. His revelation is always intended to grow our faith, strengthen our resolve, and equip us to take on any mountain that may be standing in our way. Indeed He is with us and holds us tight in the hills and valleys.

"Let the mountains bring peace to the people, And the hills, in righteousness." Psalm 72:3

Beauty Redefined

I sat behind this lovely woman at church for over 16 years. Initially, it was her thick, natural blonde, bouncy, and perfectly coiffed hair that always drew my attention. Maybe there was some unintentional longing for hair like that. It’s Friday night in Tulsa and I sit across the table from this smiling, radiant, beautiful woman with an oh-so-cute hat covering her head and an equally accessorized and matching outfit. She is adorable and she is rocking her new exterior. I realize, more than ever, this extraordinary woman is not defined by her hair or the lack of it. She is defined by the courage, faith, resilience, determination, confidence and the absolute bulldog tenacity to rock whatever challenge she faces. Like little David, the shepherd boy, who “rocked” the giant, she is “rocking” cancer. Slaying cancer!

Trina’s journey of faith began way further back than a cancer diagnosis. We were drawn together many years ago and we’ve been encouragers to each other through many of our ups and downs. It’s been one of those “God” connections when we are blessed with some friends who are for a season and then there are others who are lifers! What everyone sees on the outside – her strength and relentless will to conquer – comes from what is on the inside of her. Oh, that life was a bowl full of cherries, butterfly kisses, raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Wouldn’t that be divine? But it most certainly isn’t!

You see, none of us are immune to challenges and concerns and roller coaster rides that make us want to throw up! God, in His divine sovereignty, doesn’t want us to suffer, but, from personal experience, I assure you I am who I am today from the adversities that I’ve faced that transformed my character from a shy, wimpy, lacking confidence gal to a confident, peace-filled, and strong woman. And, with that confidence, I can share my experiences to help those around me get through theirs. I am thrilled to share my earned wisdom with others that are facing some really tough times.

If we’re children of God, He has a plan for all those roller coaster rides. Most of the time, we don’t see the big picture. We only see what’s right in front of us. Every challenge we face and every test we have to take, God is preparing us for what’s ahead. One of my favorite scriptures is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” There is no doubt that God’s plans include rabbit trails, off-road terrain, rugged mountains, and dark valleys for different reasons. It's a head-scratcher, for sure! But, be comforted, because He is the God of the hills and valleys and He is always there with us.

Making it through rocky places and seasons gives us the ability to comfort others because we’ve been there, done that, and many of us have the t-shirt to prove it. Trina has a friend who was recently diagnosed with cancer. She is already encouraging her with what she’s learned and, no doubt, she will be passing along her story to others to assure them, with God, we make it through – not always unscathed, and even smelling a little bit like smoke, but certainly, with a riveting and epic story of God’s amazing grace.

Thank You, Father, for never leaving or forsaking us. Help us to enjoy the hilltop blessings AND handle the rocky places and valley challenges knowing that You are with us regardless of the terrain. In Jesus' name. Amen.