Valleys and Mountaintops

I have been praying for some college friends recently who are going through an unexpected change. My heart hurts for them because change is hard, but I am thrilled for them because they are holding their Master's hand through it all. As I have thought and prayed for them, my mind began to wander back - as it does so often these days God has brought my family through so many things...and He has been faithful. We are alive and relatively healthy. We are not hurting financially and our home stands. We love the Lord and our marriage perseveres. We long for the abundant life God promises and seek to walk closer with Him. We pray that our children will seek their Lord as well. Not so many years ago we walked a difficult valley. It was a dark, dark time - division in our marriage, depression in my own life. In many ways this point in our life is a mountaintop...things are not perfect, but God has been faithful and we realize it. On the mountaintop our vision is clearer, and we can look back with a new perspective. A song we have been singing at church has really re-emphasized this reality. Standing on this mountain top, Looking just how far we've come, Knowing that for every step, You were with us. Kneeling on this battleground, Seeing just how much You've done, Knowing every victory, Was Your power in us. Scars and struggles on the way, But with joy our hearts can say, Yes, our hearts can say, Never once did we ever walk alone, Never once did You leave us on our own, You are faithful, God, You are faithful. Standing on this mountain top, Looking just how far we've come, Knowing that for every step, You were with us. Scars and struggles on the way, But with joy our hearts can say, Yes our hearts can say, Never once did we ever walk alone, Never once did You leave us on our own, You are faithful, God, You are faithful. Every step we are breathing in Your grace, Evermore we'll be breathing out Your praise, You are faithful, God, You are faithful. It's true, You are faithful, God You are faithful. Scars and struggles on the way, But with joy our hearts can say, Never once did we ever walk alone, Carried by Your constant grace, Held within Your perfect peace, Never once, no, we never walk alone, We know, You are faithful, God, You are faithful. As I have been studying in Exodus (chapters 7-12) about Moses and Aaron and their dealings with Pharoh ... over and over it says, "God told Moses to / Moses did / God fulfilled his promise." My prayer this morning is to be more obedient. Still praying for you Gil and Robin!