quiet waters

Psalm 23: 1 - 4

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

I will fear no evil

For your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

It was a beautiful September day, one of those fall days that remind you of your first day of school, the smell of newly mown hay and the crisp golden air simply surrounds you.
Yet, even amidst all of the lovliness, those weren't the things on my mind that Sept. day. There was a darkness, maybe a pall, as we processed in the hearse to Dad's funeral. I remember seeing the gold and crimson leaves on a tree, and hearing children at play while we rode in the back of that hearse - the one that came way, way too soon.
I know the moment when I laughed again, after the death. It as a long time after. I remember how I cried. Did you know that sometimes when you cry really hard, it sounds like you are laughing? I also remember how close God held me. It was like he made the 23rd Psalm so real, so personal for me. I did walk right in that valley - the shadow of death had taken Dad. We were in desparate need of comfort. And, there He was. God gave his comfort to us. Do you have to really feel in the debths of your soul your need of a Savior to gain that intimacy? I don't know. But, I know that comfort comes when there is no answer, when there is no help.