Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly,
Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths, but see in the heights;
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.
Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repentant soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.
Lord in the daytime stars can be seen from the deepest wells,
and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;
Let me find thy light in my darkness,
thy life in my death,
thy joy in my sorrow,
thy grace in my sin,
thy riches in my poverty,
thy glory in my valley.
After breakfast the Cowboy and I sat on the couch together (me with my tea, him with his coffee) and read our separate things while the treasures so kindly cleaned the kitchen.
The snow is falling. It's quiet and peaceful.
And in my inbox I read about a woman by the name of Asia. She's in prison half way across the world because of her love for her Jesus.
And this old puritan prayer, "The Valley of Vision," it really made me think of her and the way that she sees Him and can speak so eloquently, earnestly, and genuinely, of the way that He loves her daily. Did I mention that Asia is on death row. She has been falsely accused and sentenced to death simply because she refuses to deny the name of Christ.
She's in a valley greater than I could ever fathom, and yet she has eyes that see Him the way that I long to see Him. Lord, may You bless Asia today? May she somehow know that her obedience to You has touched a country-Mama's heart half way across the world? All the tiny details that You're so keenly aware of, You amaze me Lord.
And Lord, even though I live the simple life here on this farm out in the sticks, I want to know you like Asia knows you.
May I always know, that in whatever You bring, the valley will always be my place of true vision... that Yours is an up-side-down kingdom... that to bear the cross is to wear the crown.
Today, may I know, I mean really know, Your Glory, as I wash these dishes, and gently lead these treasures, and rub the Cowboy's back at the end of a hard days work.
This farm, these folks, this is what You picked for me that I might know You better. Open my eyes so that I may see all that You have for me right here. :)
Resources... The Valley Of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions
