An Introduction

A person's walk with God is a funny thing. Turns out it's often radically different than what we hear at the altar call. When someone walks intimately with God, it's often difficult, trying, and certainly all encompassing. There are times of favor, of dryness, of conviction. We are running the race, and while for some it is a sprint, for most of us it's a marathon and with that comes trial, pain, promise, and victory. There are seasons of overwhelming joy and times of loss, but through it all we know that He is in control and that it's a journey worth taking.

It's not always easy. It's not always pretty. It is always good. The title of the blog comes from Hosea 2: 14- 20:

"Israel, I, the Lord, will lure you into the desert and speak gently to you. I will return your vineyards, and then Trouble Valley will become Hopeful Valley. You will say "Yes" to me as you did in your youth, when leaving Egypt. I promise that from that day on, you will call me your husband instead of your master. I will no longer even let you mention the names of those pagan gods that you called "Master." And I will agree to let you live in peace- you will no longer be attacked by wild animals and birds or by weapons of war. I will accept you as my wife forever, and instead of a bride price I will give you justice, fairness, love, kindness, and faithfulness. Then you will truly know who I am." (CEV)

This is sort of my life verse. The Lord always leads me to it when He has something to say and every time I think I've figured out what He means by it, He shows me something completely different through it. The idea is universal, though, isn't it? We are all moving away from that Trouble Valley- the valley of our former selves, the valley of our sin and failings; and moving toward Hopeful Valley- the valley of His promises and redemption. Truthfully, I, like so many others I imagine, am terribly mal-adjusted to Hopeful Valley. Who knew that goodness and love could be so hard to take? Who knew it'd be so hard to trust and hope in an all knowing, all powerful God of perfect love? But the promise is true and it's waiting for me, and for anyone else who might take up the journey- restoration is for you, providence is for you, protection is for you, true love is for you, God is for you.

So, this is my attempt to document some of my walk with God in an effort that it might encourage and testify. I hope that my struggles, my failings, and my stumblings would show that being a believer is very real and often hard, but that His grace is not only worth it but is exalted in my weakness. This is my hope. This is my prayer. This is my life. This is my journey to Hopeful Valley.