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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Personal Peace (06/01/06)
"There will be peace in the valley for me someday.....There will be peace in the valley, for me.....Oh Lord I pray. There will be no sadness, no sorrow, no trouble that I see.......There will be peace in the valley.....for me..........Thank you, thank you very much."

It was the Ed Sullivan show and my very first recollection of Elvis Presley. I was in love from that moment on. Mama and I sat on the edge of our seats watching. She forgot all about the curlers she was rolling in my hair. Our eyes were glued to the black and white tv screen. Those dark eyes, that surly smile, that hair!

How my Daddy laughed at us that night! But he was hooked too, I could tell. He bought one of Elvis’ 45 records “Love Me Tender” shortly after that and was almost excited as I was to play it on my little suitcase style record player. Daddy said he didn’t think Elvis was full of the devil. Said he thought he was a Godly young man, no matter what the Preacher said!

Even at my tender young age, I knew this man had something; charisma, sex appeal, call it what you will, but he had it. He also had a beautiful voice, especially when he sang gospel hymns.

The one thing I don’t believe Elvis had though, was the peace he so longed for. Shortly after that performance his life was swept up in a whirlwind of travel, mobs of people everywhere he went, and media. Then his Mama died and he seemed totally lost. I remember seeing the news interviews and photos of him in his army uniform shortly after her death. The pain clouding his eyes was so disturbing. Mama and I cried with him and for him. We felt his pain and knelt down together to say a prayer. I remember Mama praying for God to strengthen Elvis and his Daddy in their time of sorrow. I was so sad. I couldn’t imagine how horrible it must be for your Mama to die. I wished I could have comforted him, somehow.

I don’t think Elvis ever had peace again after that……With anything and everything he wanted at his fingertips, it seemed he lived a very sad life.

We can all relate, can’t we? Oh, maybe not with the barrage of people all wanting a piece of us, but the sadness and despair that inevitably haunts us at one time or another in this life. Whenever I go through times that reek havoc on my emotions, I realize pretty quick that I have taken my eyes off Jesus. I haven’t taken time for daily Bible study or I have let my prayer time dwindle a bit.

I think that’s what happened to Elvis. He took his eyes off the One and Only that could give him the peace he needed to weather all his many difficult trials. He started relying on the world to fulfill him. That never works. We as humans are made to need and depend on God for everything. Otherwise we are just a big mess, aren’t we?

Elvis turned into a big mess. As much as I loved him, I knew he really just needed Jesus to fix his mess. When Elvis was in his last hours on earth, I pray that he finally turned his heart back to God. I sure would like to see him in heaven someday! Can you imagine listening to that beautiful voice praising God for eternity? Oh, heavenly!

There is now peace in the valley.....for me.....today! There is now peace in the valley, for me.......Oh Lord, I praise! There's no more sadness.....no sorrow.....no trouble that I see! There is now peace in the valley.......for me.........Thank you, thank you very much!"
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This article has been read 1599 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Marilee Alvey
06/10/06
I enjoyed this piece, or should I say, peace? I lived this story as well and have to agree with you.

I always enjoy seeing biographies because I think we can learn from others. Elvis became his own god, competing with his Heavenly Father. It's a danger we all face.

You make a good point that we should keep our eyes on God! Thanks for that touching, inciteful trip down memory lane.
Marilyn Schnepp 
06/11/06
Oh what a beautiful story and memory of another era! I loved it! You make alot of sense in your entry regarding this popular Music star....and I too thought he had a great voice= and when he sang Gospel Music it touched me to the core of my being....your writing is exceptional and the "thank you, thank you very much" after each rendition gave me chills; you didn't have to say his name...we knew him.
Very well done!
Jan Ross
06/11/06
Wow! Seems like I remember the same scenario including the little suitcase-style record player and the 45 rpm record of Elvis ... all the way to my daddy saying he didn't think Elvis was as bad as so many people said! Thanks for the memories! Whether or not Elvis found peace, his life has changed the course of other lives who learned from his mistakes! Great! :)
Jan Ackerson
06/12/06
Very good! An authentic voice, a teensy little sermon tucked into the middle, and a great old hymn framing the whole piece. Fabulous!
Sherril Wendling
06/14/06
Beautifully written, my friend! Excellently constructed, perfect thought-flow, full of heart. Many beginners haven't found their literary voice yet; but yours is strong and true!
You won't be on level 1 for long!