Feeling like a David (if I can have the honor of saying that)

Psalm 23

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

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters,

He restores my soul.

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

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.

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 will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

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

     God, I've read this so many times. Again? 

Wait. That's a thesis statement - "I shall not be in want."

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

     You've sure been doing that to me this week. With Dad in Africa for work, and Mom so sick she can barely be out of the house for an hour, you are definitely making me lie down. In pushing me to face a resemblance of my greatest fear, my parents dying, I'm practically in a casket with my arms crossed. 

IN GREEN PASTURES

     Wait, not a casket?

He leads me beside quiet waters.

     God, I'm worn, and you know all my complaints which cause me to see these waters as more turbulent than still.

...

Remember your retreat?

     Yes, oh God, it feels like it was a month ago.

Recall the passion in my sanctuary with the jumping and singing. Remember the tranquility and my being in the morning prayer, with your brothers and sisters in Christ in a circle praying for one another. Look back on the vulnerability and openness in cabin time. Remember I am always.

...

You restore my soul.

     You are restoring my soul. Let me not be in want. 

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

     Thank you for giving me the energy and focus to keep awake and energized while we sit together. Thank you for giving me enough energy to do some more chores that need to be done. Let me not be in want.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me.

     Help me to not fear anything - death, sickness, distance, evil; let me be assured that nothing else in all creation can separate me from you, and that in you, I shall not be in want.

You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies.

     Enemies? Fear. Doubt. Anxiety. Unworthiness. God, nothing can rip me from you, so let me feel you being with me. Thank you for overcoming all of these and more, for showing me I am more than these and am worthy to eat the yummy food while they can't. 

You anoint my head with oil.

You remind me of all of the sacrifices you made for me, and you approve of me. You give me the privilege of being able to represent you and shine your light. 

My cup overflows.

And to know that your love surpasses all knowledge - that I may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God - that is, you flood me over.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever; therefore, 

I shall not be in want.