Wednesday, September 06, 2006

It's in the Valley we Grow

I don't know who wrote this poem, but I was cleaning out my junk draw tonight trying to find some paper work for our Van. This poem was given to me in a picture frame 2 years ago when I first moved into my new home.

We lived in our old home for 15 years. We were 10 months from paying it off, but we still had a mortgage. We had a lot of offers, but none that could come up with the money to buy it. (We lived in a double wide mobile home) I got an extra motor route and a Janitors job to cover both house payments. A man on my route has been a very good customer to me. He is around 80 years old; every Christmas he has given me a very good tip, plus he gives each one of my children money for Christmas. He won't stop his paper if he goes away, so I won't lose money. I will miss this customer when he passes on to be with the Lord. Not just because he has given to me, but he cares about my well being.

He has been in a nursing home/care facility for a few months now. I'm not sure of the ends and outs of what happened. I finally asked his grandson were he was. I knew something was wrong, so I asked. He informed me that Bob’s stomach went up into his chest. I asked were he was and if I could go visit him. I went up to see him on Saturday; he was very shocked to see me. He said, I was the last person he thought he would see. I guess paper route people don't visit their customers when they are in the hospital? I stayed for about and hour; we had a very good visit. He told me I had brightened his day. He told me he would be in the hospital for 6 more weeks. I'm going to visit him again tomorrow before I go to work. I want to repay that kind gift from a few years ago and give him his poem back.


Matthew 25:34-40 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me


These verses are a model for my life. I'm not always able to go visit people in these situation, I think e-mom put this so plan one day in her comment to me.

e-Mom said...
Someone called the Bible our "owner's manual." It contains the instructions for life.

e-Mom hit the nail right on the head.
Thanks e-Mom!

My heart goes out to him; this man is normally very active; to be laid up all summer in a hospital bed is not Bob’s style. Anyway, he was praying for my house to sell and gave me this poem.

It's in the Valley we Grow

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It's then we have to remember
That it's in the valleys we grow.

If we always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
We would never appreciate God's love
And would be living in vain.

We have so much to learn
And our growth is very slow,
Sometimes we need the mountain tops,
But it's in the valleys we grow.

We do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.


The little valleys are nothing
When we picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan's loss.

Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I'm feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it's in the valleys I grow.

Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.

Thank you for the valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it's in the valleys I grow!

Have a blessed day!

29 comments:

Jim said...

That is a very nice poem. I'll bet your were surprised when he gave it to you.
Bombeck didn't get read by me. Our paper didn't carry her.
Thanks for the update on your nephew.
..

Lori said...

Jim,

I was very surprised that Bob would care so much about a paper route person. I am very blessed to have meant such a great man.

jel said...

hi lori,

thanks for posting that poem , i needed to read that ,


have a blessed day!

Lori said...

Jel,

This poem sure helped me at the time. I am glad it helped you.

Lori said...

Thank you! I just visited your site, the your pictures are unique.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely story, I bet you made his week!

Anonymous said...

I so enjoy this poem. Thank you for sharing part of it on my blog this morning. It gave me a great start for the day...
I think it is wonderful that you are able to visit one of your best customers. I can imagine the sparkle in his eyes when you showed up.

Lori said...

Connie,

He was once again very happy to see me. I am sure he gets very lonely.

Lori said...

Jon Cox,

Your welcome! I'll be back to see your work.

Lori said...

eph2810,

I am grateful that I was able to go see Bob. He is a wonderful man.

Susannah said...

You have such a servant's heart! I'm sorry your customer (Bob) is so ill. He did a kind thing for you and now you're returning the favor. Isn't that the way things should be?

I read this "Valley" poem a long time ago, and it's nice to run into it again here. I'll print it off to save. I also love those Scriptures you quoted. You're a beautiful inspiration.

BTW, You're welcome. *-)

Lori said...

e-mom,

Bob is doing better. He is eating on his own from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. He said he will be in the hospital for 3 more weeks.

Anonymous said...

Charles said

Even though I am a poet, I tell everyone that this,at this moment, is my most beloved poem. I tell someone about it every day with the added message that God keps us close to Him by sending us to a valley.

Lori said...

Hi Charles,

I am sorry I couldn't view your blog. I would love to read some of your poem. I am sort of going through the Valley again in my life. That must mean God is still now done with me yet.

Blessings,

Lori

Anonymous said...

Hi Lori,
May God forever bless you for this beautiful work you are doing for Him. You can see some of my poetry by just going to charlesleetaylor.com. I have 2 books there. You can find more of my work at http://www.k2lministry.com which is a Christian site run by a priest in Scottland. I hope you visit these and enjoy them.

Anonymous said...

The author of this poem is Jane Eggleston. Beautiful poem.

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