Dear Friends for Life, Have you ever noticed that Christianity seems to be backward? At least it seems to be that way to the world. The world sees children as a hassle, an inconvenience, and a problem to be solved. Christianity sees children as a blessing from the Lord, an arrow in your quiver, and examples of simple faith. They aren’t something we just throw away because they’re inconvenient. I really saw the paradox of Christianity when my son posted the following prayer on his Facebook page. You can see how upside down Christianity seems to be – and yet it so wonderfully depicts how we should live in this world. THE VALLEY OF VISION A Puritan Prayer "Lord, High & Holy, Meek & Lowly,Thou has 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 the 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. 2
At the North Georgia Pregnancy and Family Resource Center we see this “backward thinking” come alive in the lives of the families we serve. They so often see their lives in worldly terms – and it ruins their lives. Once they see how their worldly thinking affects them, their lives begin to change in wonderful ways. But they’re not the only ones this paradox affects. The directors, counselors, staff, and volunteers who serve the families at the center also realize that except for the Grace of God, we are all doomed to failure, to ruin. The excitement of being a follower of Christ and serving at the Center allows us to offer the hope, help, and healing that only the truths of Scripture offer. What’s more, we’re not only providing them with tangible help, but we’re privileged to love them, help them, pray for them, offer resources for their spiritual growth, and walk alongside them in their journey. Our prayer is that this magazine would help all of us, no matter what season of life we’re in, realize that we can GLORY in our VALLEY – that we can see life upside down – because of the riches of the GRACE of GOD that are available to us. Yours for Life,
Pat Page, Executive Director Psalms 78:1-8
Jim and Pat's Seventh Grandbaby Pippa
