Dear LifeSpring Family,
This past Tuesday, I was on a plane flying back from Abbotsford to Toronto. I flew out to Abbotsford to attend the funeral of a good friend, mentor, and supporter of the ministry in Thailand. He and his entire extended family of 17 people consisting of his children and grandchildren have served in Thailand and Singapore on short-term missions on multiple occasions. At 73 years old, he was not young but at the same time, not old, at least by standards. The paradox of some stages in our lives.
On the way back on the plane, I took the opportunity to catch up on my reading. I am currently reading, 31 Days To Happiness by David Jeremiah. Day /chapter 20 encouraged me as I grieve the loss of my friend. Allow me to share a prayer in Day 20 written by Arthur Bennett titled, “The Valley of Vision”.
“The Valley of Vision”
Lord, High, and Holy, Meek, and Lowly,
Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see thee 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 repenting 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 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.”
Holy Spirit please speak to us, as we want to hear your voice directing our steps, amen.
Blessings
Jerry