Jolster II
William H. Johnson ca. 1936
Smithsonian American Art Museum

Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.

The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.  (New Living Translation)

Psalm 23
A Psalm of Leah.

God guides me and cares for me.  I am wholly provided for.  He bids me to rest, warm and safe in my cozy bed, wrapped up in my down comforter.  He clears my head of worry and lets me sleep peacefully.  He gives me strength day after day after day – to have patience with my toddler, to get the laundry done, to accomplish what I need to and let rest what can wait.  He keeps me on the straight and narrow – away from temptation that would ruin me and bring bad press to the name of Christianity.  Even on my darkest, darkest days – when the rain seems oppressive, when my little boy won’t sleep, when pain throbs in my body, when a friend acts unthinkingly, when I’ve taken on so much that I’m hopelessly overwhelmed, when the stock price plummets, when my hard drive crashes, when someone close to me is in deep distress, when I can’t see anything ever getting better – I have hope.  You are right there!  You bring sunshine and patience and a broader perspective and peace.  I can cry on your shoulder and you wipe away my tears.  It doesn’t matter if there are people there who want me to fail, or who don’t care about me – you lift me up in spite of them.   I can come into your holy, holy presence, just as I am.  You welcome me; you give me the “good chair” and bring me coffee with cream and sugar, just exactly how I like it.  I am overwhelmed by your goodness to me and I can see it all: my loving husband who is always excited to see me, my sweet little boy who thinks his “Mom-mom” is the best playmate in the world, my close family, my cozy home, my good friends, my great church, the birds that visit our backyard in the quiet of the morning, the furry cat that sleeps peacefully by my head.  Lord, Lord, I am so blessed!  I see the mark of your hand everywhere, everywhere!  If this is how it’s been so far, then I can only imagine how it will be to walk with you every day…every day for the rest of my life!  And when I die…oh Lord!  Then, I get to come and live with you, in your house and be with you all day long.

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