The Mountains and The Valleys: Joys and Sorrows

     About two years ago I left off with a post about the story of something I was struggling with at the time, my journey with apathy.  Since then I've almost re-approached the subject a number of times but have always stopped short for one reason or another.

     Since that post I've journeyed down some interesting paths, places I didn't expect to go, heights I couldn't believe and depths I wasn't prepared for.  Not physically of course, I'm speaking emotionally and spiritually.  Over the past couple of years I've experienced joys that knocked me head over heels, some I almost wrote about on here in a never started post from a couple months ago to be called "My Journey With Joy" meant to be a continuation and companion piece to Swamp of Sadness: My Journey with Apathy.  I felt blessed in many ways and was focused on pouring out that joy onto the people around me.  But I've also experienced sorrows.  Sorrows that turned me on my head and knocked the wind straight out of me.  It's those valleys that make you look up at the mountain you were just on and wonder where you miss-stepped to tumble down to where you are... sitting, cold and confused.

     To be honest, I'm walking through one of those valleys now as I write this.  But I'm not without hope, even in the valley.  Because you see, two years ago I struggled with apathy and the thing about experiencing true joys and true sorrows is that there is nothing apathetic about it.

     Recently I heard it said, while the path we walk on with God is straight, that doesn't mean it's level.  There will always be hills and valleys.  

"The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.

 He lets me rest in green pastures.  He leads me to calm water.

 He gives me new strength.  He leads me on paths that are right

    for the good of his name.

 Even if I walk through a very dark valley,

    I will not be afraid, because you are with me.

    Your rod and your shepherd’s staff comfort me.

You prepare a meal for me in front of my enemies.

You pour oil of blessing on my head; you fill my cup to overflowing.

Surely your goodness and love will be with me all my life,

and I will live in the house of the Lord forever."

Psalm 23

-XO Juls