Mountains, Valleys, Oceans, and Psalm 23

This morning in church our pastor talked about the 23rd Psalm. That passage has always been comforting to me, but has meant so much more since the passing of my grandmother and uncle. I remember sitting with my grandma on the day that she left this earth, reading Psalm 23 to her over and over again. It was meant to comfort her, but it comforted me also. It was a time of great despair and questioning and depression for me. 

We read the 23rd Psalm to my uncle in his last days. Same thing - it comforted us all. It gave us all hope. It will always remind me of two of the most precious people I've known and lost. 

Psalm 23 is meant to comfort us, and here are some notes I took this morning:

Whenever I hear the word "mountains," my ears perk up now. I haven't always loved the mountains, as many of you know. But my time in Boone was a mountaintop experience both literally and figuratively. The following year was a true valley experience. We have to have both in life. But being in the valley must mean that the mountaintop experience is coming sooner or later!

As me and Ashley were pulling into church this morning, KLOVE played "Oceans" by Hillsong, but right before the song, the DJ said she loves the song because it reminds us that we can trust our unknown future to a known God. I smiled. I love that. Every time I hear "Oceans," I think of the first time I heard it - at the first meeting I ever went to of my campus ministry at Appalachian. My future was so unknown and I was going through some stuff, and the song just comforted me so much. 

I still feel anxious about the future. I still want answers right now! But how awesome is it to know that God has it all under control and even on our darkest days or in our most questioning moments, we can rest in His embrace, knowing He's our shepherd and will take care of us no matter what. :)

A Psalm of David. 

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow 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 of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs 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.

HAPPY SUNDAY!!!!

eBa