I’ve always loved the imagery of mountaintops and valleys. The mountaintops represent joy, success, and the moments when everything feels right. The valleys? Those are the struggles, the hardships, the unexpected detours. But as I reflect on my journey—both personally and professionally—I realize that I’ve learned far more in the valleys than I ever did on the mountaintops.
The Mountaintops Are Beautiful, But…
There’s no denying the beauty of the mountaintop moments. They are the times when hard work pays off, when prayers are answered, when life feels easy. In teaching, these are the moments when a struggling student finally reads that first sentence fluently, when a lesson goes exactly as planned, or when a classroom feels like a family. As a mother, they are the moments when my children overcomes challenges, when I see them happy and thriving.
But as wonderful as these moments are, they don’t always teach us the deepest lessons. They are the result of the journey, not necessarily where the most growth happens.
The Valleys Are Where Growth Happens
The valleys of life are hard. They test our patience, faith, and resilience. I’ve walked through valleys of loss, uncertainty, and heartbreak. Losing my mother was one of the hardest valleys I’ve ever faced. Watching my son struggle with Type 1 diabetes has been hard, but through the challenges, I’ve learned the true meaning of resilience, faith, and finding strength in the hardest moments.
Yet, in these valleys, I’ve learned lessons that I never would have on the mountaintop:
• The Strength of Perseverance: When things don’t go as planned, when I feel like giving up, I’ve learned to keep pushing forward. Growth doesn’t come from ease; it comes from endurance.
• The Power of Empathy: Walking through struggles has made me more compassionate. I understand my students better, I advocate for my son more fiercely, and I connect with others who are hurting in a deeper way.
• The Importance of Faith: In the hardest moments, I’ve had to lean on my faith more than ever. It’s in the valleys that I’ve seen God’s provision, His timing, and His strength carrying me through.
• The Beauty of Small Victories: When you’re in the valley, even the smallest wins feel huge. A child learning a single sight word, a good day after a string of hard ones, a moment of peace in the chaos—these things matter.
Looking Back with Gratitude
I won’t pretend that I love the valleys. No one enjoys struggle. But when I look back, I see how much they’ve shaped me. I see how the hardest moments led to the deepest wisdom, the strongest faith, and the greatest appreciation for the mountaintops when they do come.
So, if you’re in a valley right now, keep going. There’s something to learn, something to gain, and one day, you’ll look back and realize that the valley was preparing you for something greater.
And when you finally reach the next mountaintop, it will be even more beautiful because of the journey it took to get there.
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