I have been so busy for so long and not taking time to do any of the important things in life that I wanted to do that it seems I have lost all interest. I just kept working and going in such a rush, always thinking I have to get this done or that done so I will have time to relax and be able to visit with family and friends.  I have to get things done so I can write, play my music, learn to play the instruments I bought, practice singing my songs again, enjoy things but reality was that no matter how much I rushed there was never time for anything else. The time never came.  Now that I have retired and have the time it seems I have no interest in doing those things .  I want that interest back so I have been playing some of the songs and really taking time to listen to them. I have been playing a song this past week that reminded me of something that I want to Thank God for.  The name of the song is The Darker the Valley (the brighter he shines) recorded by The Chandlers. 

Dear Heavenly Father,

I want to thank you for allowing me to go through the trials, the heartaches and pain that I have been through. I also want to thank you for being there with me and giving me the strength I needed to survive. I want to thank you Dear Heavenly Father because each time I went through heartaches and pain I was able to grow stronger and closer to you.  I learned that nothing is ever hopeless, that you will always make things better. No matter what we go through you will be there to give us comfort and see us through it.   I know that the times I was down so low I could not feel your presence and felt that I was all alone that I was never alone, that you were always there.  Those things prepared me to be able to withstand any thing that comes along.  You gave me strength when I was weak , you gave me peace when I felt I could not stand any more. You were my refuge and I know you will always be with me to be my refuge, my strength, my comfort no matter what storms comes my way.  It is because of those dark valleys that I have learned this. Like the song says , “without this valley where would I be.”   Dear Heavenly Father, my Lord, my Savior for so long I wandered in darkness searching for the light.   You were that light and the darker the valley the brighter you shine so it was in those valley’s that I was made to see.   Oh yes Lord I want to thank you over and over for allowing those storms in my life.  I love you Lord and I will always need you and it is such a blessing to know that you will always be there no matter what.  In our Precious Lord Jesus name I thank you.

AMEN