Dark Valley
Even when I walk through the darkest valley—Psalm 23:4, CEB
My grandmother was blind the last fifteen years of her life. She had been an oil painter, mostly of landscapes where she thought my grandfather would like to go hunting. Her paintings regularly won awards. Then she lost her sight.
For anyone to have to live in never-ending darkness seems horrible., and even worse for a visual artist. As a child I would close my eyes and try to imagine what Grandma was going through. But I could always open my eyes, cringing as I remembered the she could not.
Our Psalm touches on that. It addresses our fear of the darkest of dark places.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death” is how many of us learned Psalm 23:4. For years I’ve presented this line at funerals and other places as “Yes, even when the time comes that I must walk through a valley filled with fog, and shadows, and deepest darkness….”
Some people live in one of those valleys. The degree and contour of what frightens us in one of those valleys varies.
You’ve been there. So have I.
If you’re in one of those dark valleys in your life right now, don’t stop. Don’t stay there. Open your eyes to what Psalm 23 says to do and “walk through.”
What’s your next step?
joescheets 
Perfect message for me right now. Thanks!
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You’re in my continuing prayers, Paul.
Your mom was always very kind to me, and she was for sure proud of you.
Missing Saturday morning’s service was not my original plan, but again: you’re in my continuing prayers.
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I love that you brought this to light. We often read familiar passages without thinking of the words. The 23rd psalm is one of my favorite, as I memorized it at WR 1st in the 1st grade. We received a tiny new testament for the accomplishment. Connie Nichols was my SS teacher. Some things you never forget. It is a wonderful message, Joe!
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Karen, thanks for this.
Mrs. McClellan was our teacher in Centralia at the FUMC when we learned this Psalm, right there with you on how signficant it was and still is.
Appreciate you both reading and commenting!
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I still have the entire Psalm memorized the way that I learned (still stubbornly sing the hymns the way I learned them, Especially the Carols) it. Miss Lena Graham was my 3rd grade SS teacher. She was another of the Little Marys in my life! They shaped my Faith so early and for so long!!
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