Reading a book called, “Sweet Beginnings” by Jessie Gussman I came across this quote,

As a nurse, I hear a lot of complaints on a daily basis, and while I love what I do and truly enjoy listening to my patients, sometimes you just have to nod and agree, because being sick stinks, and sometimes there’s just nothing you can do about it.

-Jessie Gussman

That is so true. I just found the statement eloquent! So simple. I think we can all learn from her statement that sometimes just being willing to nod and agree. Do not try to fix the person. Just let them know you heard them and be powerful for that person.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
    whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
⁶ As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
    they make it a place of springs;
    the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
⁷ They go from strength to strength,
    till each appears before God in Zion.

Psalm 84:5-7 NIV

The Valley of Baca, the valley of tears. Have you been there? I have and I know others who have passed through there, also.

Notice the people described here have their strength in God, their hearts set on pilgrimage. Pilgrimage is defined by American Heritage dictionary as “long journey or search, especially one of exalted purpose or moral significance,” and, “A journey undertaken by a pilgrim; a traveling on through a strange country or to some place deemed sacred in order to perform some religious vow or duty, or obtain some spiritual or miraculous benefit.”

Not if they pass through but AS they pass through the valley of tears, they make it something else, a place of springs. (No, not Tigger’s springs, refreshing water springs.)

How might you convert your tears to springs of refreshing water? I certainly cannot do that without God’s help. And I certainly cannot do it with Tigger’s help, though he does make me smile!

“They go from strength to strength.” That sounds lofty, but all things are possible with God. When you are at the end of your strength and you turn to God asking for His strength, He always seems to have enough to give you some, too.

When I was very young one of my older cousins was working to build Interstate 80 through Emlenton, Pennsylvania. I went to spend time with he and his wife there. Not only were we near Amish settlements, but there was a natural spring that flowed out of a nearby lot.