Eastertide
May 3, 2017
Scripture Reading: Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.
I included the entire Psalm today because it just makes one feel good to read it. I live about half way between my church and another member’s home. She no longer drives and we were having a special service and wanted to go. The weather was horrid earlier that day. Torrential rains, winds gusting to 80 miles an hour, large hail. I was safely cocooned in my well heated and lit home while the storm ravaged about me. As I drove the six blocks south and two blocks east to pick my friend up, I saw large limbs broken from trees. The damage just got worse as I progressed. The stop lights were even off. My friend was awaiting me on her covered porch. She had no electricity. We turned back heading northwest toward the church passing through my relatively undamaged area to find limbs down on the other side. The electricity was now back on at the church.
I thought of the insulated lives many of us live amid discord and distress. The author, perhaps David, of Psalm 23 knew the transitory nature of life. The moments in green pastures by still waters must be cherished for we will at times walk through dark valleys and face enemies. God abides with us in it all. The street lights were working on our return trip.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for your loving presence in the good times and in the bad. Amen.