Saturday 18 May, 2013

1 The Lord is my shepherd. He gives me everything I need. 2 He lets me lie down in fields of green grass. He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths for the honor of his name. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid. You are with me. Your shepherd’s rod and staff comfort me. 5 You prepare a feast for me right in front of my enemies. You pour oil on my head. My cup runs over. 6 I am sure that your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. And I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

I was driving around recently. Just shopping and general bits and pieces when I felt God say “you need to go home”. I dismissed it at first thinking I was just imagining things. I drove past our house to my next stop when I heard God’s voice again but much stronger and insistent “you need to go home”. I couldn’t deny it that time. “Maybe something important is going on at home. Maybe my family need me. Maybe the

phone will ring with some important news”. I turned the car around and headed home.

I walked into the house and stood in the lounge room. Nothing. No note or answering machine message. The family were out. “Now what Lord?” Nothing. I thought I’d better just wait. I lay down on the couch to wait and fell asleep almost immediately. I hadn’t realised I was completely exhausted and probably needed to rest instead of running around like a crazy man.

I woke up an hour later in total awe of God’s love for me. He told me to go home for no other reason but to have me rest. He really does “MAKE me lie down…” and “restore my strength”.

Thanks so much Lord for being my shepherd – for caring for me, even in the small things.

Written by Boudy van Noppen