Have you ever walked through a valley? I don’t know much about them, but from what I have read about valleys is that they are a depressed part of the land in between mountains or hills. They usually take the form of a “V” or a “U,” and the reason for that is due to the erosion of a river over time. I have never walked through a literal valley, but I have walked through several metaphorical valleys.
When my father was deported, I lived with a cousin and her boyfriend. I was kicked out by him months later. As he was kicking me out, I remember asking him, “Why are you doing this? What have I done to you?” to which he replied, “Nothing, I just don’t like you.” The fact that he kicked me out wasn’t what hurt me as much as what he said to me. I was confused, angry, and saddened. I was 15 at the time, and I remember walking down an alley questioning God. All I could think about saying was, “God, I’m 15 years old, and I just got kicked out. What am I supposed to do? Where am I supposed to go?” My father and mother were gone, and the people in whose hands I was left to be taken care of dismissed me. I struggled daily, and I was at the lowest part of my valley with no way out and no end in sight. However, I learned to hope. The hope I gained was through hearing the Gospel of the Lord. It wasn’t overnight, but the more I sought Him, the hope within me grew. There was always a voice on the inside of me saying, “You are not like them. You are different.” Of course, my situation said otherwise.
As I couch surfed and house hopped throughout my teenage years, I kept pressing through because I hoped that one day I would make it out of my situation. I didn’t know when it would happen, what would happen, or how it would happen, but I knew something had to happen. I made a promise to myself and my family that I would graduate high school and get an education. My greatest motivation at the time was my family. I figured that if I could succeed and overcome, I could make a way for my family as well. I’ve realized that we are constantly bombarded with daily choices, and the choices we make today will determine our tomorrow. The choices I made were for my immediate family and my future family. I constantly think about my life with gratitude. Had I made even one small different choice, I may not be here today to encourage you that have the potential to change the trajectory of your life.
To get out of the valley, I had to climb the mountain. I did, and even to this day, I continue to climb. I am an adult now in my 30s. The things I have been able to accomplish have far exceeded my imagination. I couldn’t have done it alone, and I will never do it alone.
I graduated high school in 2008 from North Dallas HS and received an associate’s degree a couple of years later from El Centro Community College in Dallas. I co-authored a book about my life called Left in America: The Story of Juan Terrazas. I currently work for a non-profit organization that allows me to use my gifting. I became a citizen of the United States on January 6, 2020. I was recognized with a Latino Unsung Front-line Hero award by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2020. One of the greatest accomplishments was obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. However, one of the most important things is that I became a father to my firstborn, Zion. I held my son in my arms as I received my bachelor’s degree in the mail. I did it for my wife, Amy, and Zion. If I could see that 15-year-old boy walking down that back alley again, all I would say to him is, “Hey, it’s gonna be all right. Just keep going. Don’t quit. You have so much more living on the inside of you. You’ll be amazed at the things you will accomplish.”
I don’t name my accomplishments to brag, but I want you to think about your own life. If you quit today, you may never know what you are capable of.
Valleys can be depressing and difficult to see a way out of, but it does become easier to see when you climb a little higher. As I type this, I think of Psalm 23. Sheep go through valleys, but they have a shepherd to guide them. In retrospect, I can see how the Lord shepherded me. He led me through, and I can share this with you. So even though I walked through the “valley” of the shadow of death, I learned to not fear evil because He was with me. He is with me. You are with me.
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
