Death Valley

As stated in my previous post, my plans for the next post sometimes get altered. It’s happened again. Further to my recent post regarding mountains and valleys, along with a song by Tasha Layton Meet Me In The Valley, I dug a little deeper into why Tasha wrote this song. And I came across a short video of her venturing out to Death Valley National Park, to camp by herself for three days, so she could get closer to God. It was at some of her lowest points in life that she drew closest to her Creator, spending time just focusing on Him, and not getting distracted by the myriad things in life. Death Valley, at 282 feet below sea level, is one of the deepest spots on the planet, and certainly the lowest point in North America, surrounded by jagged mountains. In general, it looks quite bleak and devoid of life, although to a more trained eye, there is life in some sections. But it can reflect some of the most challenging times of one’s life.

 Here is the link to that video.

 Watching it was meaningful to me for a couple of reasons.

-in October of 1985 Marie and I visited Death Valley NP, and camped there, as well as explored some of the landscape. It was an incredible place. It is the lowest point in North America, being 282 feet below sea level. It was not busy at all, and except for the campground, hardly saw another person, and its huge desert and mountain landscape was very impressive. If one wanted to relate to being in a bleak valley, this is the place to go. Here are a few photos of that time a mere 9 years after we were married.

 

Zabriskie point in the middle

-I have been in many emotional valleys especially over the last couple of years since Marie passed away. I am very much alone, which is to be expected when the person you were joined together with in marriage for more than 47 years, is no longer with me. So there are many, many quiet and alone times. I certainly have known of God being with me, hurting with me, understanding and loving me and speaking to my heart and mind so as to carry on with His plans for this ongoing stage of my life’s journey. I could never have imagined what I have been through especially over the last decade, but God knew it was to happen, and prepared me for it over the years. It has not been easy, but there is assurance of His love and plans for me, one day at a time. Although I don’t know what He has in store for me in whatever future I have left, it is better if I don’t know and rely on Him moment by moment, every day. If I knew some details of my future, I would probably try and jump ahead and ultimately mess things up! It is always best if life’s plans unfold the way He intended.

I can certainly relate to why Tasha made a point of being in a remote valley out by herself. I explore God’s creation as much as possible, and most often by myself, getting to the quietest and more remote parts where I can focus on Him and His creation. It is by far the best part of my recent times, without Marie.

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