Good morning! The fluffy little clouds, the cool breeze, the comfortable temps, this does not speak of a day in the triple digits (again). What is seen around you or me may not indicate that one of us is seeking the bottom of a dark valley. This morning I did not hit the bottom of my hole. My hope did not arrive with the morning dig. However, that condition belies my belief that I am on the climb out of my own dark valley. A lot of work remains in my climb, but problems are being solved and the light is shining. You may want to 'check your six' as they say, you might still be looking for the bottom of your dark valley. Now, that's not a very encouraging thing to hit you with today. Let's say that both of us have been led by our Lord into a dark valley and both of us are on the way back up to the peak. Many is the time that in a trial by fire we miss the bottom, and still complaining we begin the journey upward with our Lord. Only later, when looking about on a peak of peace and joy in this world, do we realize that Jesus faithfully led us completely through the dark times.
The climb up the other side of that trial by affliction did not seem like a time of increasing joy and peace. At times, that climb may have seemed very much like the bottom of the dread and despair. Looking back though, we may wonder now why we thought ourselves so afflicted when things had begun to improve before we fully realized it. Once more, we must face the fact that we should have been grateful to God well before any gratitude appeared in our poor, downtrodden minds. Ya know, things aren't always so bad in this life. Muscles may be sore, joints may ache, hearts may mourn, minds may worry, but Jesus is faithful, God is generous and kind, and the Spirit in us praises the Lord without ceasing. We do have much to be encouraged about, and much more to be grateful for in Christ. Live for the day!
Bucky
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