Psalm 23:1-4: 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. This Psalm has always been both a double-edge sword for me. On the one hand, it is present in my life at times of great grief – we read it at my daughter Caroline’s burial service, and my grandparent’s funerals – so my immediate reaction to the Psalm is always one of great sorrow. The reason though that we chose to use it for Caroline’s service is because upon reflection, there is the knowing that we are individually not in control of all that happens and that we must have faith in God if we are to believe that there is a heaven we will reunite in after walking through “the darkest valley.” I also like to reflect on the next verses: Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. These two verses offer a hope for me that those I love who have passed before me, and those that I love and will someday leave, will all be reunited with me in “the house of the Lord forever.” Prayer: Dear Lord – please keep in your loving arms those that we love that have come to your house. We know that you will comfort them and keep them. Please bless all that we love in your goodness and mercy and restore our souls in our times of great grief. Amen. Hannah K
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 11:15:00 +0000
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