Respite in the Valley

Learning to Love the Depths

I am one who has soared above the mountaintops and been thrust into the depths of the valley, and this I can say with confidence:

God felt most near and His grace most sweet when I was laid prostrate in the depths.

Though the mountaintops were splendid, I grew to love my home in the valley. For there, I had nothing to pull my gaze or affections away from my Father.

He was my only light, my only comfort, my only hope, my only joy. My soul learned to find shelter in His wings, and there it would rest.

When I soared above the clouds, I felt no need to abide. I was fueled by external pleasures and fleeting happiness. Weariness and sorrows were drowned out by a shimmering world, and though they persisted and slowly wore me down, I did well to neglect their cries.

But in the miry pit, this was not so.

It could not be so.

Nothing but darkness surrounded me.

Therefore, when I began to grow weary and nothing in sight could distract or relieve me, my soul found respite in Him.

In the darkest pit, my soul would rest in His arms as a babe sleeps, cradled against his father in the light of the moon.

Without His presence, such a valley would be utterly dreadful.

But with Him, it was safe.

With Him, it was serene.

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Grateful for you.

Grace and peace,

Ali