This is wonderful Lisa! I had never really noticed this dark valley verse changes from 3rd person to first -- to direct connection: from he to you. This whole experience has been frustrating, infuriating, demoralizing, but I have learned as you remind us each time, our identity is not dependent on our children or grandchildren, but on who we really are: a child of God and He is always with us and in us. Thank you for this powerful truth!
Thank you, Alan. That shift from “he” to “you” in the darkest part of the valley struck me too. It feels so intimate, almost as though the darkness removes the distance between us and God. And yes, I think that is one of the deepest invitations in all of this, to remember that who we are has never depended on whether our children or grandchildren can see us, understand us, or remain with us. We are still who we were created to be, and we are never outside of that Love.
Hi Lisa, your words pierced my heart, again. Looking in the mirror and “really” seeing myself is humbling. Every 10 places you walked me through were vividly felt. And my thoughts at this moment are: I am human, a woman, Mom, wife, daughter, friend that did the best I could very passionately with a combination of love and fear. Did I do everything right, no; was I intentionally over protective, absolutely; was I intentionally hurtful, no and sometimes yes; do I forgive others, yes; really? I think yes. Then why can’t I forgive and love others as I do myself? If I have always believed in God and Jesus, dying for our sins past, present and future, then why was I so bitter, angry and hurt? It’s called life, growing and accepting I was and never will be in control, only God knows what the final outcome will be. But until my last day on earth, I can choose how I feel and my daily actions. As I write these words, my thoughts sound so simple; yet I know it is not, love creates deep feelings that can distort common sense. Thank you for compassionately walking me through a healing journey and your 10 thoughts of Psalms 23 to look at estrangement and “Navigating The Valley of Darkness” in a different light. Each day is a fresh start; an opportunity to embrace a better tomorrow, no matter the circumstances. And the promise that we are NEVER alone.
This is wonderful Lisa! I had never really noticed this dark valley verse changes from 3rd person to first -- to direct connection: from he to you. This whole experience has been frustrating, infuriating, demoralizing, but I have learned as you remind us each time, our identity is not dependent on our children or grandchildren, but on who we really are: a child of God and He is always with us and in us. Thank you for this powerful truth!
Thank you, Alan. That shift from “he” to “you” in the darkest part of the valley struck me too. It feels so intimate, almost as though the darkness removes the distance between us and God. And yes, I think that is one of the deepest invitations in all of this, to remember that who we are has never depended on whether our children or grandchildren can see us, understand us, or remain with us. We are still who we were created to be, and we are never outside of that Love.
Hi Lisa, your words pierced my heart, again. Looking in the mirror and “really” seeing myself is humbling. Every 10 places you walked me through were vividly felt. And my thoughts at this moment are: I am human, a woman, Mom, wife, daughter, friend that did the best I could very passionately with a combination of love and fear. Did I do everything right, no; was I intentionally over protective, absolutely; was I intentionally hurtful, no and sometimes yes; do I forgive others, yes; really? I think yes. Then why can’t I forgive and love others as I do myself? If I have always believed in God and Jesus, dying for our sins past, present and future, then why was I so bitter, angry and hurt? It’s called life, growing and accepting I was and never will be in control, only God knows what the final outcome will be. But until my last day on earth, I can choose how I feel and my daily actions. As I write these words, my thoughts sound so simple; yet I know it is not, love creates deep feelings that can distort common sense. Thank you for compassionately walking me through a healing journey and your 10 thoughts of Psalms 23 to look at estrangement and “Navigating The Valley of Darkness” in a different light. Each day is a fresh start; an opportunity to embrace a better tomorrow, no matter the circumstances. And the promise that we are NEVER alone.
With love and peace for all,
Michele