Monday, February 18, 2013

He Makes Me Lie Down...

"...in green pastures." Psalm 23:2

He makes me... or He causes me. Regardless of which you prefer it's always "He." It's always He that does this. Not me. But it is up to me to see how green the pastures truly are.

To sheep a green pasture means the provision of nourishment for the physical body. Yes, daily, He gives our family our bread.

Never FAILING. It's always there and I'm grateful. But what if it wasn't what I wanted or what I felt would satisfy me? Would I still be able to rejoice in HIM. Simply Him.

The one who makes me lie down here.

As I look around me, my green pastures are full of an abundance of things. A warm, beautiful, home, good food, an incredible husband and four children who truly are a dream come true. I hear music and see art that I enjoy. The beauty of creation surrounds our home out in the woods.

Thank you Lord, for these green pastures. May we always worship you in the midst of whatever pasture you choose for us.

For there are days when they haven't been so green. There are moments when you have caused me to lay in places that don't feel green. Oh, but I know that they are. All I have to do is lift my eyes for a moment.

FOCUS. There is my shepherd.

Green pastures...

Always green.

"I say to the Lord, 'You are my Lord. I have no good apart from you.' The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup. You hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places. Indeed, I have a delightful inheritance." Psalm 16:2, 5-6


Friday, February 8, 2013

I Shall Not Want...

Some versions say,
"I lack nothing..." Psalm 23:1b

If only I could keep this perspective in a world that tells me I lack everything! I need a better one of these or a new one of that. I could use improvement in lots of areas and I need fill-in-the-blank in order to be my best self. And I should be my best self because I deserve it!

This life is not about me. 

It's about HIM.

I lack nothing in my Heavenly Father. I am whole. The world can take nothing He has given and the world cannot make me thirst or hunger. It cannot add anything to me that makes me more valuable. It can only dangle things in front of my eyes and entice me to believe the lies that...

I'm only beautiful if I...
I'm only worthy of love if I...
I'm only successful if I...

The lies swirl around me day and night, keeping me striving for more...There's got to be more.

I have everything and more that I could ever need in this world and the gracious shepherd has seen fit to add to me Himself. Food and water that does not, that cannot run out. I will set my eyes on truth.

"You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing." Psalm 145:16

Satisfy these desires Lord, like only you can.

By simply opening your hand.

You have opened your hand and I am forever grateful.

"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; And he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food." Isaiah 55:1-2
"...and let your soul delight in abundance."Is. 55:2b (NKJV)
 "...and your soul will delight in the richest of fare." (NIV)

 Jesus said, "...but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst." John 4:14 
And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to be shall never hunger, and he that believes in me shall never thirst."

"The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:17 
This is who my Shepherd is.

I     lack     nothing.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

A Mom's Journey Through Psalm 23

"The Lord is my Shepherd..." Psalm 23:1a
Remind me today Lord that you are my shepherd and that you are good. You are my caretaker and all of my needs will be provided for today.

You will guide me because you have said that you will.

I believe what you say and I know your voice because I am your sheep.

 I will rest today in the fact that you are protecting me and my family. When something looks good, but isn't best, Lord guide us today. When danger lurks, but we can't see us Lord protect us today. When we have need of your grace, your forgiveness, your tender care, Lord provide for us today.

I know that when I'm hungry, you are the food and drink that will not run out.

 I run to you today because you are my keeper. You are my guide and my only hope in this life. Without you death surely lies ahead.

You are my shepherd.