Blessed are those

   whose strength is in You,

in whose heart are

   the highways to Zion.

As they go through

            the Valley of Baca,

they make it a place of springs...

They go from strength to strength.

                  Psalm 84. 5-7

(Not our own strength,

                       but His.

God builds up His strength in us,

    by layers and degrees,

    day by day,

    by difficulty, resistance

               and circumstances,

lest we think it is our own doing.

For not in just what we encounter

   but how we navigate,

         we point others to God.

No way we can endure without Him.

                  Others notice that.

As we approach and walk in

    the dry and barren places

     --our own personal Valley of Baca--

may we make it a place of sweet springs

         of beauty and refreshment

    in unexpected and impossible places.

What does it take to do that today?)

O LORD,

Empower us today

       in whatever is before us

to move from strength to strength

    by seeking You more

and loving others into Your arms.

Help us to see where we are

              differently

because we walk with You.

Your Presence changes everything,

         even our hearts.

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