Beside Peaceful Waters

1 The Lord is my shepherd. I am never in need.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside peaceful waters.
3 He renews my soul. He guides me along the
paths of righteousness for the sake of his name.
4 Even though I walk through the dark valley of death,
because you are with me, I fear no harm.
Your rod and your staff give me courage.
5 You prepare a banquet for me while my enemies watch.
You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows.
6 Certainly, goodness and mercy will stay close to me all the days of my life,
and I will remain in the Lord’s house for days without end. Psalm 23 (GW)

My mom would have celebrated her eighty-sixth birthday this month. It’s been two and a half years since she went home to the Lord and I still miss her every day.

She loved the 23rd Psalm. She taught me to love its precious words too. Over her lifetime, like all moms, she occasionally laid her head down on her pillow with anxious thoughts. Her life was not easy. She suffered health problems like – high blood pressure, diabetes, breast cancer, and irregular heart beats. She mourned the passing of – parents, siblings, friends, a child born prematurely, and a grandchild.

Like all moms, her children filled her thoughts from the moment she knew they had been conceived. That’s not a complete list by any means, but I bet you can relate to the fact that there were nights when rest was elusive because of spinning thoughts or a heavy heart.

It’s during those hours late at night that my dear mom grew to love the words of Psalm 23. She began slowly reciting it when she found herself waiting for sleep to arrive. Mom told us that she never got through it a third time. As the Lord reminded her of His gentle leading, His peaceful water, and His provision she knew that there was nothing to fear and that He would provide her courage for tomorrow. Sweet rest arrived.

I too recite this Psalm as I settle into bed at night. What a blessing it is to know that our Lord’s goodness and mercy is with us each and every day and that we can anticipate with joy dwelling in His presence forever.