Walking the Valley

Life’s journey weaves in and around
It is complex…multi-dimensional.
Sometimes perched on the mountain tops
With a view and feelings of accomplishment.
Our sight is clear, focused and we can see for miles,
We are proud of our mountain top experience,
We feel strong and an inner sense of true ability.

Our life journey is varied, never static for long
And it often takes us to the valley.
Shaded by towering mountains to the left, right and before us,
Our view is often only metres in front.
We can’t see where we are going
Or how far we have come.
Sometimes we feel stuck in the valley,
Feeling like it will never end

But the valley can hold a different human experience,
As there is still beauty to behold in the valley.
It is only in the valley that we experience the river;
It is only in the valley that we touch moss and fungi,
And hear the rich diversity of the bird calls.
Sometimes the valley is a resting place
A place to pause, reflect, a refuge.
We will eventually go up,
We DO make progress and distance
Even though we cannot see.

When our vision is stifled, we focus on the map.
When our sight is reduced, we focus on one foot after another;
Focus on the feet, not on the slog.
And look for the intentional markers and landmarks.
Even though we walk through the valley
His rod and staff, comfort and lead.
It could be a hard slog back to the mountain top
But it is all worth it.
The whole journey is worth it,
The learnings and growth are worth it.

In the valley we may feel low
And be in need of a helping hand.
God in one hand and our beautiful village in the other.
You see, when we are in the valley, God still calls us to walk
The valley is an important part of our journey, our story
He doesn’t take the valley away.
There is a richness and growth in our valley experience;
Things we might never have seen, learned, experienced.
But we need to walk it together.

So we hold on tight.
One hand in God’s, one hand with our village.
When we grip onto people we trust,
They become our vision, encouragement and hope;
They become our eyes when we cannot see;
They direct and encourage when our direction is unsure.

You see, when we hold onto others
Who might be on the mountain,
They can see the view!
They can see the journey, the progress.
They see with FOR US.
They are a life-line to the view, seeing with clarity,
And in that we gain hope
And encouragement to carry on.

Then when WE get back onto the mountain
We then take the hand of someone else,
In a beautiful reciprocity of human experience.
We become the eyes and ears for them;
We understand, we have empathy.
For we know the journey, the emotions, the struggle, the blessing.
We know the God who is with us every step of the way
And we love those who have held our hand,
While walking the valley.