The Lord is my Shepherd

I opened my Bible and turned immediately to Psalm 23... it seems appropriate since I appear to have been feeling a little downtrodden lately.

"The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not be in want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He reastores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the sadow 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 f my enemies.
You annoint my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
All the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever."

Something about just opening up God's word and reading it, brings me such a feeling of comfort... I remember going to Vacation Bible School as a kid, and getting that same feeling, learning about God and his faithfulness in different stories and examples. Every time I learned something new I remember just smiling, and feeling like I knew God a little better. Then He seemed like a big grandpa to me. Someone who will look over you, and hold you to his warm shoulder, telling you with a wrinkled jaw, how precious you are to Him, and how much he loves you. In those times it was easy to feel so close to God.

That image of God has changed bit by bit over the years into an image of a strong and powerful Creator. Someone who is Ruler and King. The personal side of God seems to have slipped from my experiences with Him, and I think I see now that THAT is a big portion of why I have felt so distant... so estranged from the God I once knew. God can be, and IS God Almighty, but he is also God the Father... a loving God that wants to hold me to his warm shoulder, and tell me with wrinkled jaw how precious I am to Him.

It has been a long time since I have felt that warmth, comfort, love, and peace. Its been a long time since I've opened myself up to it, and really sought out God's face. Its amazing to finally be starting back at that place, embracing God, and starting down the road again, holding his warm weathered hand as I walk in the life He has for me.

God is good.