Ain't No Valley Low Enough

We have had many small defeats in our family since Cap was born. I feel like this is one of the reasons my posting has decreased in the last couple of months. Small things are just small things. After time, the small things really start adding up. Eventually they can make a nice full cup.

What I noticed on the internet, or at least what I look at, is you never hear about the bad times during the bad times. You may hear about some rough stories but they are always on the other side of it by the time it hits the web. None of the other blogs I read, friends and other creative artist I blog stalk, write about hard times. I have one friend who wrote in the last couple of months about a bad day with the kids. It sticks out in my head because it is just not what you read online. In fact, the more reading I did at one point, the more depressed I felt because it kind of made me feel like I wasn't doing anything in my life! It made me feel like every other family out there was making beautiful things with their hands, growing in their family, walking in good times, while we were listening and walking with the Lord struggling to make ends meet, new to town once again, and very confused with how the past year has looked.

We are BLESSED. No matter the small or big things that might happen in life, my family is living a FULL life! But as we all know, no where in God's call to follow Him, did he say it will be so easy and so fun. Everyone will be doing it. This will be the easiest thing you will do for the rest of your life. Rather His call was raw, vulnerable, and untamed. It was not a call of safety and security. It was not boring or predictable. There was nothing mundane or dull about His call.

Those who followed Him were greatly persecuted, lived in caves and holes, traveled preaching the message, healed the sick, delivered the possessed, and made disciples throughout all nations. Many were beat, many were crucified and in chains, but they were free. They sang and rejoiced through the beating because they worshiped the One and only God, My Redeemer, My Friend and Comforter, Jesus.

I have learned so much since first moving towards the mountains in 2005. Here are some things I have learned:
Every mountain top is different. Some will take your breath away while others you are just thankful to have made it to the top.

Every trail is different. You can not compare a single trail to another. No matter how close they may be they are still their own trail.

There will always be valleys.

There is beauty in the valleys if you are looking.

If you are looking you will find beauty wherever you are. Don't always look big, look small too.

While going up, some people complain and look forward to the downhill, but downhill is harder on your knees. It is best to try and remain positive, taking one step at a time, to keep moving forward, and to dig deep for some inner strength.

Don't be surprised if at times during the climb upward you are using everything you have to get up, hands, feet, poles and sticks, or a buddy's hand.

You can't stay on top of the mountain forever. I slept on top of Mt. Whitney once. It was one of the most miserable and best nights of camping I have ever had. I slept may be 20 minutes of every hour that night.

Coming down doesn't have to be a bad thing.

Every trail/journey is new and has something to offer and show you.

It is okay to laugh, cry, and scream all in minutes when the trail is kicking your bum.

Sometimes it takes several goes at a mountain to finally reach the top.

You should always be training. You never know when some great chance to climb/hike a mountain might come. So just be ready.

I could go on and way more in depth on those things, but may be one of those might be for one of you out there. I obviously gave no details on really what is going on with us. It was just one more thing really. And we are tired this week.

This is what I encourage you with. During hard times, cling to those truths that God has already given to you. Those things you know to be true, speak them out loud, write them on your walls, and be sure to yell at the devil that you aren't giving up. You are a child of God and He is fighting for you. I know God is good no matter what. I know He loves our family and He is our provider and protector. I know He hurts with us and He is fighting for us. He is fighting for me.

He is reminding me this now...

"I will fight for you Spesh, you need only to be still"
                                   exodus 14:14