In the Valleys I Grow

This poem was shared at a conference for church women I attended years ago, and I think it fits well with this month’s theme. It was very meaningful to some of the ladies I was with that day, maybe it will be for you, too.

It’s In The Valleys I Grow

by Tracy Mayfield

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 would be living 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 valleys 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 very low,
Just give me a gentle reminder,
That it’s in the valley 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 the valleys Lord,
For this one thing I know,
The mountain tops are glorious,
But it’s in the valleys I grow!

Slow Me Down

It’ been said that if the devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy. We can’t become truly pious if we’re too busy to make time for God and for others.  I have a tendency to do this.  I become so caught up with expedient things, I lose track of the things that have eternal value.  I forget that even Jesus made time to get away and rest.  I miss bits of God’s grace and the people He wants me to serve. I forget to listen for his voice. This poem is a good reminder to slow down and pay attention.  I had a very hectic weekend, so I even if nobody else needs to hear this today, I do!

Slow me down Lord, I am going too fast:
I can’t see my brother when he’s walking past.
I miss a lot of good things day by day;
I don’t know a blessing when it comes my way.Slow me down, Lord I want to see
More of the things that are good for me.
A little less of me and a little more of you,
I want the heavenly atmosphere to trickle through.Let me help my brother when the going is rough:
When folks work together life isn’t so tough.
Slow me down, Lord so I can talk
With some of your angels.
Slow me down to a walk.Brother John G. Ottis

In A Circle

This short poem was written by Avery Brooke, a spiritual director and author of books on prayer and meditation.  I think it captures the essence of the Christmas season in Christian community.

Mary, Joseph and the young Jesus, hold hands in a circle.

We, with family (and friends), hold hands in a circle.

And God’s circle weaves in and out of our circle while the light grows brighter,

the hearts fonder, and we feel like singing.

 

Stewardship of Our Roles #2

As I was looking for a filler to finish off our church newsletter this morning (yes, I am the editor), I came across this poem I wrote years and years ago.  I thought I’d share it as it speaks to our many roles in life and how to handle them.

A Modern Day Psalm

Dear Lord,

Does life really have to be this hard?

I just want to be myself for a change instead of someone else’s

Wife or

Mother or

Daughter or

Employee or

Boss or

Whatever it is I spend most of my time being.

Sometimes my relationships seem to be strangling me instead of fulfilling me …

I want to be free

I want to please myself.

The trouble is I’m not really sure who I am or what pleases me

I’m to accustomed to being all of those other people instead.

Maybe I can find myself and You, too, if I really pray.

Maybe there’s a place for me in Your plan.  Me the wife, and mother and daughter and sister and all the other Mes.

Maybe You’ll tell me if I listen.

 

We’re All Involved

Some of you probably saw this one coming–you know I love John Donne.

The Hound of Heaven

Here comes my English major moment for the month. The Hound of Heaven is a poem written by English poet Francis Thompson (1859-1907).  It’s long (182 lines) so I’ll just give you a taste here.  Of course, the Hound of Heaven is God.  If you’ve ever felt like God was pursuing you ( and He is–while we were still sinners, He died for us) you might like to look it up and read the whole thing.