Psalm 23

Psalm 23, one of the most well known passages from the bible, has provided comfort for thousands of years in times where one is afraid or worried or bewildered by life.

There are many versions / translations of the bible which try to capture the rich meaning behind the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. They all bring out something different in this passage. The Message, translated into the modern vernacular, doesn't have the beauty of the more classic versions, but it did bring out the imagery of reviving my drooping head, which gave me so much strength when I was feeling beat down.

God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. (Psalm 23:1-6 MSG)

In this journey through loss, grief, infertility, cancer and joy, it has been a constant I come back to. I've quoted it many times in this blog. I've whispered it as my needle phobia kicks in each time I am poked. I've prayed it with my eyes squeezed shut as I get a CT scan.

When we were in Hawaii, one Sunday we decided to do family worship in our hotel. We sang a few songs of worship, then I read Psalm 23 and tried to explain it in a way that N could understand. I then shared about how comforting it was to have The Lord as our shepherd through the intense hardship of this past year.

One of the things that haunted me when we discovered the cancer was thoughts of all the ways N would be traumatized by this experience. He can be a bit of a worrier and I was worried about how this would affect him. I remember asking people to pray for him, pray that his heart would be protected and he wouldn't be fearful. I prayed that God would be faithful to our family whatever the outcome.

Noley, bless his sweet heart, innocently asked: "what was so hard about this past year?"

Evidently all our prayers were answered as my son (even after we reminded him of all that happened this year) is not riddled with fear about cancer or death. His faith in a God who cares for us is unshaken.

So, to my God who made sure we didn't need a thing, who led us beside quiet waters to rest and provided all we needed spiritually, emotionally and physically - thank you. And to our family and friends who prayed for us, cared for us - thank you. 

If you are in Vancouver and are free this Saturday, we will have an open house style (drop in) thank you brunch between 10am and 1pm. It will be chaotic, but we are so thankful to all of you for being our community and we want to celebrate with you and give you a big thank you hug :) (well I do, Jer's not much of a hugger ;))

My hair and eyebrows are coming back!