Valleys for Mountaintops

Dear reader,

I finally felt it break. The weight of the valley I had been trudging through, holding onto God’s word, encouraging myself through, keeping my focus locked in because anything my eyes gazed upon seemed to repeat the tauntings of my enemy. I finally felt it break.

And it was as good as I needed it to be when it happened.

At this point in my life, I recognize that anything worth having is going to cost you something. Peace is not free, my sense of security is not free nor is my ability to fly. It has all cost me dearly, but you might be surprised to learn that the price demanded of me were the fears, provoked by the unknown, that had long been my journey mates. How had I made it this far with such companions I wonder? God’s grace and his grace alone that’s how.

My story is not one for the faint at heart. I have lived through things I wouldn’t dare ‘do again if I had the chance.’ And even now I can still taste the char of a broken heart, still baffled by the way the thing I thought would ruin me became the thing God stood in, called me forth, and spoke my blessing through. That’s the mystery of each chapter in my story. At first glance, you could drown in the shallow end, but see it with spiritual eyes and you’d not get past the first line before you’d realize that God has always been upon me and the presence of God has always been with me.

Perhaps that is what I want to draw your attention to with this letter. As He is with me may you come to see He is with you.

I’m sitting in the breakthrough, covered in the journey, and yet rest has consumed my heart as the sweetness of victory fills the air around me. It is impossible to value the mountaintop without knowing the pain and the struggle of the climb. It is impossible to drink deeply the crisp, cool air if you are not acquainted with the piercing agony lack of breath brings. It is then that the most valuable of experiences is not found in the place of rest but in the moments of surrender. When my heart cried things my lips could not utter, when the pit I needed rescue from was one my own internal fears dug, the Lord was there revealing to me that not even the darkness I tried to avoid could do anything, but bow before Him.

Once again, God has done what only He can do; delivered me from it all into the next.

Oh, how I pray that you enjoy victory as I do, that your strength be renewed, that you come to know the texture of breakthrough and the overwhelming comfort that comes from hearing the Father say, “That’s it, kid. That’s good!”

Grace & Peace,

Lori LaChelle

Chapter 9: September

Goodbye Summer, you were beautiful as always.

Well, Fall is here and while it’s listed as my third enjoyable season I do appreciate it as a time of transition, of lessons learned, and the sweetness of things coming full circle. If I’m honest fall has been the greatest contributor to my growth both spiritually and naturally. Fortitude blooms when you gain the gift of goodbye by way of letting go.

The summer sun kissing my skin gives a dopamine boost I look forward to and the heat faithfully reminds me I’m but a speck of dust here today, gone tomorrow. I enjoy the sense of freedom that summer offers unlike any other season and it’s not just because I remember summer brought a break from life’s routine as a child and now the calendar still triggers that core memory every year… or perhaps that is a tiny bit of it. Look, If you were to ask me why I moved to California in the first place you would discover that the Lord called me here as a child, but then you would also find out I thought I was moving to a summer year-round weather paradise. Imagine the disappointment, I digress.

From bright summer sun to shaded skies and cool breezes. From long days and impromtu adventures to extended nights and sweater weather Fall is a time of exchanges.

What an incredible opportunity this year has been for us to be fortified in our faith while facing things unexpected and to know more than ever before;

God doesn’t forget His promises.

I pray you enjoy this change in weather a bit more than you have the days already spent this year. I pray you take in your present moments with a realization that each one truly is a gift and that time nor life are commodities we can afford to waste.

So, as this month begins refuse to entertain fear, guilt, shame or regret instead turn that conversation towards God’s word concerning you and let His word be enough! I promise you what God has in store for you is greater than the thing you think you understand, the thing you think you deserve, or the thing you’re afraid to let go of.

Your Good Father is also The Good Shepherd let Hin lead you to rest.

LORI LACHELLE

The Masters Piece

At this very moment, I don’t know where to start.

I’m currently at the crossroads of wanting to share a testimony and yet waist-deep in the still and healing waters I so desperately needed. I am eternally grateful for the Shepherds’ impeccable leading. When I was ready to run past my hurt He had a better plan in mind; healing.

I think it’s important I shed light on the reality that I am both a masterpiece already made, though I have had to double-check a few times as I’ve become far too acquainted with the fire, and a piece the master is making.

This nuanced truth was difficult for me to wrap my mind around for the longest time because I kept looking at my story and questioning how He could ever make something worthy out of pages I would gladly trade or simply leave out altogether. I will never forget the Lords gentle words,

‘As long as you look through your eyes you will never truly understand what it is you are seeing.’

Perhaps you should read that again. In every case it’s not what we’re looking at, but through what are we perceiving?

Loss, lack or pain is easy to assume when ends come and our vantage point is full of what we expected to receive, but aren’t. It’s only through the perspective of a loving and purposeful God that we are able to see the beauty in endings, in gifts that have fulfilled their purpose.

What are you seeing in your life today? What things are you fighting to keep alive when your spirit knows the end of the thing has come, but your mind can’t comprehend what’s next? What things are you timidly looking at hesitant to step forward into because you know you’ll be introduced to a new version of yourself and the unknown shakes you?

Look up.

Hesitation, fear, doubt, guilt, shame, regret, and uncertainty are all experienced when your gaze is set on your limitations. Look up.

Lift your eyes so that the light of the Lord fills your vision, floods your soul, and consumes you until you remember who’s you are.

It is who’s you are that determines the truth of who you are and gives hope, no matter what turns you have to take, for where you are and where you are going.

Grace & Peace