The Encounter in the Valley

I have walked through the valley of shadows - but not death, thankfully.

God has been with me. He never left me, even in the moments when I thought I was completely alone. Fear did a number on me, covering my thoughts like a thick blanket. I was lost and numb. Physically, I functioned the way I was supposed to - moving through life on autopilot - but no one recognized the signs. I had become a master at hiding my feelings. Everyone seemed to have a million and one problems already, so I dared not add mine to theirs.

That blanket was heavy. It crushed my soul, squeezing out everything I knew about God and causing me to drift. I skipped along dreary paths, dancing as I wandered into unknown territory. I knew I was playing with fire by entertaining those thoughts, but I had gone past the line, and no one was coming to save me. 

In desperation, I called out in the darkness, asking for help from anyone who could hear me. But it was barely a sound - a mutter, a whisper that hardly left my lips.

Somewhere deep within me, I remembered that even in the valley of the shadow of death, He would be with me, offering comfort and holding my hand.

I mustered all of my strength and physically lifted my hand as if beckoning to the God I could neither see nor hear. I desperately needed a lift. My mind mocked me. The silence taunted me loudly, jeering in my face, telling me it was futile. I crossed the line - with my thoughts, and actions. I had failed to hold on to the promises HE made, thinking they were not true. I had no reason to hope that He would help me. 

But He did.

He wrapped His arms around my frail being and held me. That hug was a surge of power that penetrated deep within me, reawakening the hope I thought was lost. Fear was banished. I was set free.

I remembered what reassurance felt like - like a child held close. I held on to that hope and refused to let it go, trusting that no matter what, He would hold my hand. Knowing, truly knowing, that His promises are faithful and true. 

Aieyípadà - the One who never changes.

I stood up straight, certain of one thing:

My God will turn it all around.

My Quiet Prayer: 

Dear God, 

For every person reading this who is lost, numb, afraid... meet them in the valley. 

Wrap them in your arms when words fail them.

Restore hope where fear has lingered too long. Remind us all that you will never leave us-

even when we feel you are silent. 

Amen.