From Hope Valley (Week 35): The Beautiful Hope of Slow Building and Change

November 1, 2017

Listening to Pastor Frank Hogan's speech to the people of Hope Valley in the third episode of season 3, I was immediately struck by the wisdom that he is sharing here. While we may not physically have changed our names to a different person, we each have the ability to grow and change as people... to look back on previous years and learn from our mistakes. To understand that our journey is a slow process and that we are constantly building our lives. To live in the understanding that there is a beautiful hope that is found in slow building and change.

These past few months I have been really thinking and considering this concept of how we change and grow as people. Sometimes, like the case with Pastor Frank Hogan, we even take on a new name to separate ourselves from who we were before and the person that we long to become. Sometimes the change is a bit more subtle and we don't change our name... instead we try in our own flaws and courage to become the person that we hope to be. We see that the people that we were before in anger can teach us kindness. We learn that the greed that we used to live our lives with can change into generosity. Our hearts transform from a place of indifference to one of compassion. 

But this doesn't come at a lightening fast speed or pace. 
I read a quote that said, "to build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years" and was thinking about that this past weekend as I drove by this old barn near my home. From the outside the barn may look like it is struggling, but to be honest, it is still standing quite firm. 
Yes, it is weathered. 
Yes, it has had numerous paint jobs since it was built. 
Yes, some beams have had to be replaced. 
Yes, it has been beaten down by different storms. 
Yes, it leans a bit to the left depending on what angle you view it from
... but the foundation is sure and against the backdrop of the mountains it remains steadfast and strong. 

The story goes that the farmer who built this barn spent years doing so. Neighbors supposedly questioned if it would ever be completed and when it finally was some said that it didn't "look" like much. 

But this barn has housed many animals from a cold winter night. It has provided shelter for those who were homeless. It has held a wedding. It has held a memorial service. It has seen the beginning and the end and held laughter and barn dances and memories in between. The time of building the foundation provided a place for the past 75 years for people to come and find refuge. The farmer once said... "I look at that barn everyday and remember how long it took to build  and I also see the changes it has endured and I remember that time and work can change me for the better too."

"To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years..."

Like this barn, building something that lasts requires a firm foundation that comes about slowly and with great determination. Building and changing into the people that we long to be takes time. Sometimes we have these great moments where it is easy and the changes we long to see seem to happen magically and quickly....but most of the time, well most of the time friends it is slow... and a lot of work. 

In this world that so often communicates to us that great things happen quickly and that you can become anything or anyone you want in a minute... let us remember that there is a beautiful hope that comes with slow and deliberate building and change. That the people we long to be can happen with great patience and determination. That the people we want to live like can happen as we slowly and confidently step forward... making small and important changes to shift the direction of who we portray to the world into who we really are in our hearts and lives. 

Let us learn to embrace the mistakes that we have made in the past to help us become a better version of who we can be in the future. Instead of growing discouraged by the times where we mess up, let's give ourselves the kindness and compassion that we give to others and see how far we have come. Let us take a breath, let go of the anger and embrace kindness. Let us stop living so much for ourselves in this culture that is all about selfies and "me" and live our lives openly and generously... showering those around us with God's love so much that they don't even see us, but only see Him. Let us move from a place of indifference at what is going on in our world to one of compassion. Today, dear friends, lets embrace the beautiful hope of slow building and change... knowing that we are creating a life that will have an impact and legacy even beyond our years. 

"Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look...Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it!"
-2 Corinthians 5:17, the message-


-Habakkuk 3:2-





  1. I just LOVE these devotionals. God has given you great wisdom & insights. Thank you for sharing with all of us!

    1. Mary,

      Thank you so much for your incredibly kind and encouraging words. You truly have no idea how much they mean and have touched my heart so. Thank you again!! I hope that you have a wonderful Friday and a wonderful weekend!

      Blessings, Rebecca :)