Christians often talk about mountain-top and valley experiences. Well, I’ve encountered both in one month. I reached the pinnacle of parenthood with the birth of my first grandchild and the deepest valley with the death of my father. How does one slingshot from inexplicable joy to inexpressible grief in the span of a week? Needless to say, it’s been an emotionally turbulent time.

Ever since covid, we’ve all been saying, “When things return to normal…” with normal defined as a neutral zone, free of any craziness. Through my rapid up and down, I’ve realized that there is no such thing as normal. Life is a series of highs and lows. We’re either climbing the mountain or falling into the valley.

Today as we plan Daddy’s funeral service, I’m thankful for the one neutral zone we do have–Jesus Christ. No matter how many joys or sorrows we experience, there always a plateau where we can rest. Jesus never changes, never wavers, and never leaves. He’s our solid rock and firm foundation. He is our perfect peace.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

I normally take a sabbatical around the holidays, but I’ll be starting early this year to focus on my family and my novel Lost in the System. See you in 2022.