When the still waters feel like a tempest

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

2 

    He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 

    he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

    for his name’s sake.

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Even though I walk

    through the darkest valley,[a]

I will fear no evil,

    for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

    they comfort me. Psalms 23: 1-4

Father, God, I cannot stop thinking of these verses.  So many times I miss that you are leading me beside quiet, still waters because it feels like I am being thrown overboard into tempest waters.  Help me to open my eyes to see the still waters because my imagination and feelings are not good guides. I want to be led by you, shepherded by your gentle voice.

Make me lie down in green pastures.  I know that in the stillness I can see and feel your calm, but too often I run from the green pastures and throw myself onto the rocks with defeating thoughts, discouraging words and language of need and lacking. Make me lie down, I can't seem to choose it for myself.

Thank you, Father, for guiding me along right paths. It is truly my comfort to know that you are in control. You have a plan and you are working your plan. You do not forget me in your planning and I need not worry that your plan will every exclude me.  You have sealed me into your plan with the very life of your own Son.   Jesus, Jesus, Jesus - Don't let me forget the power of his name or the strength of the spirit that raised him and that he has given to me.

Father, you tell me your rod and staff comfort me. Like a child with a parent's leg, I just want to grab on to the rod and staff and never let go. I remember being afraid to go upstairs alone as a child when it was dark and the light switch was at the top of the stairs. I would dash up to switch, but still swiftly return to the comfort of the light as soon as my task was done.   I, like a child, get afraid that I will be swallowed by the darkness, so I stand in your presence fully confident only when I know your staff and rod are nearby and I can wrap my arms and legs around it.  Help me in my unbelief.

Lord, give me grace in all things, for without grace, I am unworthy to be your child. Let me share grace in abundance like you share it with me because I want others to know your name.

In Christ's loving name, Amen.