Hope Valley is a real place. I can’t believe I just learned about it. It a gorgeous meadow in the Sierras where hwy 89 meets hwy 88. We heard about it from a website publishing where to go in CA to see fall colors. There are lots of aspen trees there & if you hit it just right- you find gold. Twirling, swirling, yellow, orange & gold leaves turning to caramel before they stop their quaking & flutter to the ground so the trees can winter.
Its been a couple of weeks since I came home from a trip to GA to see family, and meet little Wonder Woman (mentioned in the last post). God gave me strength for the travel and I’m grateful for the memories we created. It’s not easy to grieve. Everyone does it in our own way and it’s a complicated, multi-faceted process not always approved by our culture. I’m grateful I got to spend this anniversary of my sister’s passing, being with her daughter, Madison, and her sweet family. We even accomplished handprint art with very active kiddos 😆
Grief feels multiplied by global events. Today, I was encouraged by Jer 31:13 & 17, both for myself and for our world, especially Israel, “I will turn their morning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow… so there is hope for your future.“ These words were meant for Israel initially and only come to me through my grafted in status through faith. They bring me hope in the midst of grief.
In my ladies Bible study we recently studied the miracle of the resurrection of Lazarus (John 11). Both of his sisters felt that Jesus was a bit behind schedule when he arrived a few days after their brother had died. They said to Him essentially, if you had been here this would not have been the outcome. They didn’t see the option that a different miracle was on the agenda.
I’ve spent a lot of time wondering about an impossible question to answer- what did Lazarus think about being called back from heaven after four days in Paradise? I think it’s been on my mind so much because I, like Mary and Martha, begged for a miracle while my sister was on the ventilator with covid in fall of 2021 while I went through chemotherapy. But instead, God took her to heaven & kept her there. Conversely, He answered my prayers to rid my body of cancer & giving me a 2nd lease on life, and here I am.
This brings me to my second question about Lazarus- how did he spend those additional years on earth he was given? I bet it looked different than before his death. He must have lived in such close relationship with God after seeing Him face to face for a few days. I’m sure he saw each day as having an eternal purpose. So how did he spend his time?
I find myself asking that question to myself, how shall I spend this time that I’ve been given? I don’t want to spend it afraid. I want to live in Hope Valley where I may not be able to see what’s around the bend, but I know Who can. Psalm 23:4, is such a comfort, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” I’ve heard it said that the rod protects and the staff guides.
No matter how deep the valley, we never have to be alone. We also have the privilege of taking hold of our Good Shepherd’s hand and knowing He will protect and lead. In a previous post, “At the Table” I shared some thoughts on Psalm 23:5 and what it can mean to sit at the banquet table with Jesus. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.“
When I picture sitting down to the banquet table, I see fear cowering beneath it. As I consider having hope for the future, I find myself asking lots of questions about what, how, when. Maybe you do in your circumstances too. Last night as I tried to quiet my mind, I saw Jesus sitting at the table with me and spreading out a treasure map before us. It included lots of hills & valleys, complete with obstacles as every good treasure map does. He assured me that He knows the way and where the treasure is. I just need to follow His lead.
Last week we discovered gold in Hope Valley. I’m not sure what this week holds, but I’m grateful I know Who will help me see the next step. May we have joy in the journey 💗
