Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd = that's relationship
I shall not want = thats's supply
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures = that's rest
He leadeth me beside still waters = that's refreshment
He restoreth my soul = that's healing
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = that's guidance
For His name's sake = that's purpose
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death = that's testing
I will fear no evil = that's protection
For thou art with me = that's faithfulness
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me = that's discipline
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies = that's hope
Thou annointest my head with oil = that's consecration
My cup runneth over = that's abundance
Surley goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life = that's blessing
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = that's security
Forever = that's eternity

How Great is Our God

A friend of mine, Kayleigh, has been in the hospital for over a week now. Whenever I would pray, it would be for her, her parents, and her older brother: for them to have peace in whatever new situations arise and for her to ultimately be healed. I never really thought about her two younger siblings until tonight. Her little sister, Paige, is 8 1/2 years old, too young to understand, or so I thought. But she ran up to me and church tonight and I had the God given opportunity to just love on this little girl and give her some much desired attention and affection. As I was holding her in worship she started to tell me that her sister was in the hospital and they didn't know when they we're going to be home, but somewhere in the jumbled half conversation I had with this little girl, she said "but it's okay, God will take care of her". I did not really know what to say from that point, I nodded my head and smiled, and she proceeded to worship the God who was taking care of her sister.

Kids amaze me all the time, which is one of the reasons I love them so much. The way they look at the world, and troubles. They know that they have absolutely no control over situations, so they have total trust in the ones who do, in this case, God. I, as a seventeen year old girl, was pulling out my hair a few short days before in fear and worry over my best friend being sick and me not being able to 'be there for her'. I do not know what I thought I could do. I have no medical degree, I do not even know half the things that were going wrong and I would have no idea of where to even search the index of a medical book in order to diagnose anything. But even knowing that, I could not bring myself to stop worrying and just trust that God knows what His plan is and He does not need my help. But this 8 1/2 year old girl grasped that concept of trust that I could not even begin to understand.

I stood there holding Paige for a while longer while she and the rest of my youth ministry worshipped this wonderful God who I cannot even begin to comprehend. She was, singing, "How great is our God," admits the stress she was going through with her family and sister. It was such a blessing for me to be able to hold her and worship with her. Then later to hold her and try to comfort her when she was feeling weak because she missed Kay. And it was a blessing to see her brother fight back tears to tell her everything was going to be all right. By the end of the night, she was surrounded by teenagers and adults that were crazy impressed by her strength. Moreover, me, who was crazy impressed and humbled by her ability to understand and trust God, even in the middle of a storm.