The Lord is My Shepherd All Over Again

I cannot get enough of my Shepherd. He assures me again and again, that I’m on the right track, in the right place and He’s still leading me.

Had a wonderful thought this morning as I read through those precious words of the 23rd Psalm. As a parent I often have something I want to give my children. Sometimes they are not too excited about receiving it. Something we did recently was take them all on a train ride for Ivan’s birthday. Aron was afraid. When he heard the train coming, could see how big it really is, the noise of it as it approached, all of these things were intimidating and overwhelming for such a small boy. He cried as we let ourselves be swallowed up into the train car. His fear was obvious and echoed in the car as he cried and cried for us to stop this from happening. He clung to us, trusting us to keep him safe, but not trusting us enough to realize he was already safe. Kris and I, along with Grandma and Granddaddy tried to soothe him, we spoke softly too him, petted him and held him securely until he realized that he wasn’t in danger. Once he got over the noise, the jostling and unfamiliar setting, he was fine. Even after we left the train and had to get back on for our ride home, he did not cry or show fear again. He was excited. He had learned not to trust the roar of the engine, but to trust us to lead him.

I talked to God about that this morning. I told Him that I don’t want to walk through the valley of the shadow of death clinging to him in fear, but rather, I want to walk beside him confidently believing that I am being led, not forced or abandoned, into something beyond my expectations. I want to draw close to God because I like being there, not because I’m afraid. Being afraid causes us to hide our face, to close our eyes and when we do that we miss out on the beautiful things God is trying to give us. On the other side of the valley there is a table prepared and the oil of anointing is waiting. I don’t want to arrive tear stained and hyper ventilating…I want to show up anticipating the goodness of God.

Ah…with the Shepherd in front of me and goodness and mercy right behind me…I’m in good hands.