This post is dedicated to my brother Kenny who is a silent servant of the Lord. His acts of kindness are never boasted about but are seen like trees along the path of his life! He has humbled himself before his God, served his fellow man, loved his family and survived cancer.....no more could be asked of a man. I raised my son to model his life after by brother as far as character, service, responsibility, love of family....and my son.... I can proudly say stands with the men I admire most....My father, brother and my husband. Thanks to my brother's example of love in action, the lives of many have been touched and changed. He is a remarkable man.
More Valleys Than Mountains
Valleys are just mountains turned upside down. Ken Armes (my brother)
Only a person who has experienced the good and the bad of life can see the magnificence of the valley! Everyone wants the mountain top exhilaration but it's in the valley where all the life is going on. This is a topic that can be seen from many different aspects and one such view point would be from the mountain climber. He sees the treacherous climb to the summit as a dangerous yet exciting journey that will bring him to the pinnacle of one of his greatest achievements. Another would be a geologist who sees the mountain as a plethora of research and knowledge! A rescuer sees it as a mission field to save a life and a skier may see it as a spectacular moment to capture! Most people live for the mountain top "high" but the biggest problem is that you cannot live on the peak of a mountain forever! The "high" must always end and the descent to the valley can be deflating and depressing.
This just happened to one of my loved ones...her mountain top experience was so exciting, so dream-fulfilling that when it ended, she crashed! While she was engrossed in the dream experience her adrenaline levels were through the roof from all the excitement! When that happens we tend to survive on what are really "flight or fight" hormones that are meant to sustain us through a difficult situation. We live in such a high anxiety society that we tap into this storehouse of adrenaline for many other reasons than what they were intended for, thus, the crashes in life take us on a zip cord straight to the valley with no adjustment period! The crash is usually severe because the adrenaline kept us from slowing down enough to make wise decisions during the time of stress and anxiety. We forget to eat properly or eat at all, we don't hydrate or rest enough and the final crash ends up not only being emotional but physical as well!
I am finding that as I get older and wiser, I'm more aware of this cycle so I try to maintain a level of wisdom and alertness through stressful times. It doesn't work all the time (yet:) but each year I'm getting better at it and it makes the world of difference! The metaphor of going on a mountain climbing expedition can be anything from setting up an event, participating in an event, going out of your comfort zone to serve in a social capacity to taking a trip or having guests for the weekend! Try starting your journey up the mountain by first preparing what you will need. If you're going to be away from home then take snacks, water, a small pillow for power naps, an Ipod to play restful music to block out noise for awhile... If you are nervous about receiving guests at your home, then plan to lay out boundaries for yourself such as sleep times, rest times, going out for some meals rather than trying to do everything yourself... Most people crash back into the valley because they didn't start the trip by being prepared mentally, physically, emotionally or spiritually!
The other sad thing about crashing back into the valley is it's such a shame to arrive back so exhausted and disoriented! The valley's of life are really gorgeous, restful yet adventurous places to experience so much life in! My husband and I can attest to that because we go to the High Eastern Sierra's every year to hike and enjoy nature! I find that the beauty of the mountain for me is viewing it from a distance! I can stand in a valley with beauty all around me and look up at a mountain with awe and wonder! We hike and climb but never to the peaks of the distant towering mountain tops. That's for the more adventurous thrill seekers who chase the dragon by elevating their challenges constantly to try and keep the buzz going! If someone can't find peace in stillness, then all their thrill seeking is just busyness to avoid the deeper aspects of life in the valley.
The mountains have views that can inspire us and our souls for years but the valleys are the home to the living. Humans settle in valleys not on mountain peaks, animals hunt, rest, drink from the streams and play in the meadows. The butterfly's and bee's inhabit the fields while the birds and tiny critters dance from flowers to trees! Creeks babble, winds whistle through the tall grass, the sunshine and the moon rest their glows upon the open earth! The valley is the place of life! It's not a place to fear or avoid because you think it's only a quiet and still prison that holds you down from the distractions of the mountain! The valley is where everything has a time and a season, winter's rest, spring's renewal, summer's new growth and autumn's exfoliation. This culture we live in has delineated what we see as real life versus boredom! It has brain washed us to think that if we are not busy and exhausted from climbing to get to the top of the mountain so we can "feel" good, then we are just "stuck" in the boring valley! This couldn't be more false!
It's time to change the paradigm of how we see life! Personally, I have been in a valley for a few years now and the old me hated it here! I was angry, bored, bitter, resentful and I was NOT going to give in or even try to see if the valley had anything good to offer me! I was wrong! The Lord kept me here till I fell in love with it and I saw all His goodness rather than just sitting with my arms crossed and stubbornly fighting all the wonder that He wanted me to see! The valley is home....and for the first time I know peace! I still travel to the mountains every so often but I make sure that I prepare for the journey so I can return whole and not half full or empty! Don't be fooled by this world and it's "shiny" sparkles on the mountain, those sparkles are little treasures that if we want to reach for a few, then that's great, but don't let them steal your true joy or real peace that you will have in the valley! The world has told you that the valley is a place to crash and also a place you will want to get out of, but if you truly open your eyes and look around with an open heart, you will see that isn't true at all.
Hearing that life will have more valleys than mountains used to be a very depressing thought but not anymore! I've learned to live more like a wave through the middle of life than like a seismic quake reading with its sharp ups and downs! That kind of living will not only wear your body out but your emotions will rule you to the point of despair! Find your peace with God, live life in the valley's He takes you to, see all the wonders around you and travel the mountain wisely. Ascending with proper provisions and descending slowly so as to adapt back to the valley without crashing. Life can throw a lot at you whether you are in the valley or on the mountain...cancer, loss, challenges......but try not to see it as life should be a choice between a mountain top experience OR a trip to the valley. Life is life and it happens everywhere, so find your peace exactly where you are.
Isaiah 57:19 "Peace, peace to him who is far and to him who is near," says the Lord...
Collossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ have power over your hearts. You were chosen as a part of His body. Always be thankful!
Phillipians 4:7 The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 32:17 The work of being right and good will give peace. From the right and good work will come quiet trust forever.
Psalm 37:37 Look at the man without blame. And watch the man who is right and good. For the man of peace will have much family to follow him.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 May the Lord of peace give you His peace at all times.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give peace to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
Psalm 85:8 I will listen to what God the Lord will say. For He will speak peace to His people, to those who are right with Him.
Valleys are just mountains turned upside down. Ken Armes (my brother)
Only a person who has experienced the good and the bad of life can see the magnificence of the valley! Everyone wants the mountain top exhilaration but it's in the valley where all the life is going on. This is a topic that can be seen from many different aspects and one such view point would be from the mountain climber. He sees the treacherous climb to the summit as a dangerous yet exciting journey that will bring him to the pinnacle of one of his greatest achievements. Another would be a geologist who sees the mountain as a plethora of research and knowledge! A rescuer sees it as a mission field to save a life and a skier may see it as a spectacular moment to capture! Most people live for the mountain top "high" but the biggest problem is that you cannot live on the peak of a mountain forever! The "high" must always end and the descent to the valley can be deflating and depressing.
This just happened to one of my loved ones...her mountain top experience was so exciting, so dream-fulfilling that when it ended, she crashed! While she was engrossed in the dream experience her adrenaline levels were through the roof from all the excitement! When that happens we tend to survive on what are really "flight or fight" hormones that are meant to sustain us through a difficult situation. We live in such a high anxiety society that we tap into this storehouse of adrenaline for many other reasons than what they were intended for, thus, the crashes in life take us on a zip cord straight to the valley with no adjustment period! The crash is usually severe because the adrenaline kept us from slowing down enough to make wise decisions during the time of stress and anxiety. We forget to eat properly or eat at all, we don't hydrate or rest enough and the final crash ends up not only being emotional but physical as well!
I am finding that as I get older and wiser, I'm more aware of this cycle so I try to maintain a level of wisdom and alertness through stressful times. It doesn't work all the time (yet:) but each year I'm getting better at it and it makes the world of difference! The metaphor of going on a mountain climbing expedition can be anything from setting up an event, participating in an event, going out of your comfort zone to serve in a social capacity to taking a trip or having guests for the weekend! Try starting your journey up the mountain by first preparing what you will need. If you're going to be away from home then take snacks, water, a small pillow for power naps, an Ipod to play restful music to block out noise for awhile... If you are nervous about receiving guests at your home, then plan to lay out boundaries for yourself such as sleep times, rest times, going out for some meals rather than trying to do everything yourself... Most people crash back into the valley because they didn't start the trip by being prepared mentally, physically, emotionally or spiritually!
The other sad thing about crashing back into the valley is it's such a shame to arrive back so exhausted and disoriented! The valley's of life are really gorgeous, restful yet adventurous places to experience so much life in! My husband and I can attest to that because we go to the High Eastern Sierra's every year to hike and enjoy nature! I find that the beauty of the mountain for me is viewing it from a distance! I can stand in a valley with beauty all around me and look up at a mountain with awe and wonder! We hike and climb but never to the peaks of the distant towering mountain tops. That's for the more adventurous thrill seekers who chase the dragon by elevating their challenges constantly to try and keep the buzz going! If someone can't find peace in stillness, then all their thrill seeking is just busyness to avoid the deeper aspects of life in the valley.
The mountains have views that can inspire us and our souls for years but the valleys are the home to the living. Humans settle in valleys not on mountain peaks, animals hunt, rest, drink from the streams and play in the meadows. The butterfly's and bee's inhabit the fields while the birds and tiny critters dance from flowers to trees! Creeks babble, winds whistle through the tall grass, the sunshine and the moon rest their glows upon the open earth! The valley is the place of life! It's not a place to fear or avoid because you think it's only a quiet and still prison that holds you down from the distractions of the mountain! The valley is where everything has a time and a season, winter's rest, spring's renewal, summer's new growth and autumn's exfoliation. This culture we live in has delineated what we see as real life versus boredom! It has brain washed us to think that if we are not busy and exhausted from climbing to get to the top of the mountain so we can "feel" good, then we are just "stuck" in the boring valley! This couldn't be more false!
It's time to change the paradigm of how we see life! Personally, I have been in a valley for a few years now and the old me hated it here! I was angry, bored, bitter, resentful and I was NOT going to give in or even try to see if the valley had anything good to offer me! I was wrong! The Lord kept me here till I fell in love with it and I saw all His goodness rather than just sitting with my arms crossed and stubbornly fighting all the wonder that He wanted me to see! The valley is home....and for the first time I know peace! I still travel to the mountains every so often but I make sure that I prepare for the journey so I can return whole and not half full or empty! Don't be fooled by this world and it's "shiny" sparkles on the mountain, those sparkles are little treasures that if we want to reach for a few, then that's great, but don't let them steal your true joy or real peace that you will have in the valley! The world has told you that the valley is a place to crash and also a place you will want to get out of, but if you truly open your eyes and look around with an open heart, you will see that isn't true at all.
Hearing that life will have more valleys than mountains used to be a very depressing thought but not anymore! I've learned to live more like a wave through the middle of life than like a seismic quake reading with its sharp ups and downs! That kind of living will not only wear your body out but your emotions will rule you to the point of despair! Find your peace with God, live life in the valley's He takes you to, see all the wonders around you and travel the mountain wisely. Ascending with proper provisions and descending slowly so as to adapt back to the valley without crashing. Life can throw a lot at you whether you are in the valley or on the mountain...cancer, loss, challenges......but try not to see it as life should be a choice between a mountain top experience OR a trip to the valley. Life is life and it happens everywhere, so find your peace exactly where you are.
Isaiah 57:19 "Peace, peace to him who is far and to him who is near," says the Lord...
Collossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ have power over your hearts. You were chosen as a part of His body. Always be thankful!
Phillipians 4:7 The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 32:17 The work of being right and good will give peace. From the right and good work will come quiet trust forever.
Psalm 37:37 Look at the man without blame. And watch the man who is right and good. For the man of peace will have much family to follow him.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 May the Lord of peace give you His peace at all times.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give peace to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
Psalm 85:8 I will listen to what God the Lord will say. For He will speak peace to His people, to those who are right with Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment