I received a card in the mail earlier today from a caring member of GSJ. The intent of this card was to encourage me to continue to fight the good fight of faith despite seemingly insurmountable pitfalls.
A glaring weakness of mine is hiding my frustrations associated with pastoral ministry. My expectations of the people whom God gave me oversight can be so unrealistically high, that the least deviation from desired behavior can be frustrating. Thank God for praying people in the pews who appreciate your ministry and have a vested interest in your success. The card was accompanied by a poem which inspired and invigorated me. The Lord always knows when to move on the heart of His people to be a blessing to you. The poem is entitled “It’s In the Valleys I Grow.” Let me share it with you. Enjoy!!
Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It’s then I have to remember
That it’s in the valleys I grow.
If I always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God’s love
And be living my life in vain.
I have so much to learn
And my growth is very slow,
Sometimes I need the mountain tops,
But it’s in the valley I grow.
I do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.
My little valleys are nothing
When I picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan’s loss.
Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I’m feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it’s in the valleys I grow.
Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.
Thank you for valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it’s in the valleys I grow!
- Jane Eggleston
