The Valley

"It's good to be in the valley, 'cause in the valley, God turns shepherds into kings." Ken Lane, Sr.

this is the quote that ended a recent conversation with a friend of mine. ken lane, jr. he had just wrapped up a meeting in which he told his father that he didn't know if he was going to be able to continue in the family painting business with him. problem is that the business is his bread and butter. it puts food on the table. it takes care of the basic needs of the family. and as he poured his heart out to his father, he was able to say, without question, that his dad understood not only his fear, but his frustration as well. ken doesn't have a clue what is going on, but he knows that God is up to something in his and his family's lives. i share his frustration. i share his fear.

truth be told, i am in the valley. feels like this is where i am for a season, a reason. a purpose, intelligent design, if you will. oh sure, some will say that everything is great. some will say that all is well with the world, or if it's not, then it must be my bad. and to an extent, i am sure that they are right. but right now, right here, nothing matters except that this is where i am. i accept my place, i am resigned to the knowledge that i can't change anything overnight. and i long for a day that may or may not come, the day that this shepherd becomes a king.

jed

intro

blood on my hands
you call me clean
hate on my tongue
still you redeem
doubt in my soul
you call me friend
broken and poured out
you come and make me whole again

and i yearn, i burn for you

desperate longing
passioned desire
treading in vain now
caught in the mire
can you hear me
do you know my cry
won't you reach for me and give me life

and i yearn, i burn for you