Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

Sometimes the most familiar is also the most comforting words that we can read. For many the time after Christmas is not the best. I mentioned the gloom and the rain that has been such a part of our January and even into February this year. There are many reasons that people fall into depression or gloom in this season. The most notable are certainly the shorter days, less sunshine, the cold, the rain and let's not forget the bills that follow Christmas. It seems that to me this time of year is always a time of needing to hear the words that I am not in control, God is, He is my Shepherd and whatever the problem he is there. This leads us to the next line:

He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters, he restores my soul.

I can remember the fights that I had with my children over bed time. They never seemed to understand that rest was necessary to have a good day following. I find it peculiar that the word we most often overlook in this line is make. He makes me lie down. I know that I am no sharper than my children as usually I run as long and fast as I can until my body makes me lie down from exhaustion or illness. As I read this today it causes me to wonder if the times of the Winter when I get a little gloomy are not God making me to lie down. It is often when I get down a little that I find the way back is through God. When I dig deeper into God's word and meditate on Him I find that my soul is truly restored. And it is in this time that:

He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake

The ability to stop and see the problems and see that God is the answer then leads us to restoration and following Him anew. As we are in the beginning of Lent I find that my desire to turn things over to Him and to prepare myself for Easter are greater and I am looking for pathways that lead to right standing with Him.

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.

Now it is not as bad as the shadow of death but certainly as I submit my life, release my control to Him, then I feel His gentle but sure guidance again. He leads me, He protects me, He comforts me and certainly He prepares a table before me even if the enemies of my own creation are all around me. He anoints my head with oil, calls me His own, and my cup full of His grace, mercy and love overflows.

Surely even in the dregs of winter, God's goodness and love will follow me ALL of the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

That ALL at the end reminds me that God is always there regardless of how I feel or my troubles, He is there.

Thanks be to God, Amen

Hale