It's the one you don't see coming that gets you:

Once upon a time there were two countries and they fought all the time. There was not a speck of peace between these two countries. One country lived on the  mountain, the other country lived on an second  mountain and there was a deep valley in between,. The valley was so deep, you could hardly see the other side when you were in the valley, so both countries tried to avoid it. .

One day a big huge giant of a man came out of hiding and told his countrymen he would put a end to this. He had walked many many miles to get into the battle and he was ready. His countrymen were more then willing to let him take over,  so they stepped  back encouraging  him to go on  challenge the other country. He did, He walked all the way down into the valley, and even when he was at the deepest part of the valley his height was half way up the mountain. 

Hey!" he yelled to the other country, "send your best warrior out to fight me!! " Lets settle this once and for all!!"

The people looked down shaking  in great fright at the site  giant.
The giant laugh and went back to his country, but he was back the next day. As a matter of fact the giant challenged them for forty days and still had no takers. 

On the 40th day, a young boy was bringing lunch to his brothers. He heard about the Giant, then he heard the giant himself make his challenge. 

"I'll take him on" he said. Everyone thought he was crazy but no one argued. They tried to give him their best bow and arrows, and press their best swords into his hand but he refused. he ran to the rive and picked out six smooth stones and tucked away his slingshot. 

His brothers told him goodbye and assured him they would tell their parents how brave he was...as he walked down that hill. 

the giant laugh,"You send a boy to challenge me,? "

I'm Insulted"

 He laughed and laughed.

He didn't see it coming. the stone I mean, it hit its mark. He fell, so great a fal,l they say it shook the earth.  David walked into history, assisted by God. 

Every day we stand in a valley looking up wondering how we are going to climb out of it.

Some days the valley is deeper then others:  the way out is much higher. 

But, om  Good Friday  no ones valley was deeper the the one Jesus faced on this day.

So whatever valley you are looking up from, I wish you well. Who ever your Goliath is.

I wish you six stones to beat him,. For the victory, of course, is already won for us, The battle has been fought. 

We still have to get Natasha's Easter basket and dress. Things are so expensive we are kind of holding out for sales. Real sales, the markdown 50 percent stuff. You know. The ones that hit on Sunday. We like most families ,are short on money this Easter.

It's the one you don't see coming that gets you.  You know how it is:

 You are looking for a promotion, and suddenly you are out of a job instead. Downsizing they call it. . You are thinking you have muscle pain and suddenly it's cancer.
 Child's cold turns into something much more serious. You are never looking for it.

But strangely enough, Someone knows it's coming and He is the one who walks  out of the valley into the sun with you:  ready to face your next Goliath. 

So this Easter season,. remember the joy that we are celebrating.
 Put your Goliath at the foot of the cross, and walk out of your valley. for He has Risen, and by his stripes we are saved.