It had been a series of valleys for several years. Normally a very optimistic, “look at the bright side of things” kind of person, the combination of it all was very overwhelming for me. I had told a couple of close friends that I felt like I couldn't catch my breath; I would just start to get back on my feet again after one shock, and WHAM! ... something else would knock me down again. ... Over and over, like being in a boxing match I just couldn't win. I knew the Lord would never leave me or forsake me ... but there were times I wondered, "Hey, are You paying attention up there? ... Do You really see what's going on here? ... Do You care that I am getting the daylights knocked out of me?"
That summer, things had started to look brighter; I had started to feel like I was getting back on my feet again -- and almost standing! ... I felt like I was finally able to catch my breath.
I was scheduled to work at the Primary Election, and it was usually a long and boring day; I worked in a precinct with very low voter turnout, so we would be lucky to have 50 voters all day for a primary election -- and working from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. … well, let's just say we were advised to bring plenty of reading material!
Unbeknownst to me, my daughter, who knew I would be working all day without much to do, had tucked a list of bible verses in my bag for me to read to help pass the time -- she had chosen one for each hour that I would be working at the election.
During a break, I was talking with a good friend, and she asked how I was doing.
“You know, Laura, it has been one trial after another, but I feel really good right now. I feel like God’s giving me a rest; like I can finally catch my breath.”
Just a short time later, I was going through my bag and found the note with the list of verses from my daughter. What an amazing and thoughtful gift! I couldn't wait to get started. I checked her list to see which verse she had picked for that hour: Psalm 23:1-3.
I felt immediate disappointment; I knew that verse without even looking it up … I knew it like the back of my hand. "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul."
The words were too familiar to me - like a favorite song that you just sing along to without really thinking about the meaning behind the lyrics anymore. ... But I had nothing else to do, so I decided to look it up anyway.
I had left my Bible at home, and we were not allowed to use the Internet, but I had recently downloaded a Bible App for the i-Pad. I had only downloaded one translation, though; The Message – not my favorite, but I guess it would have to do.
I sat down with my iPad, and searched for Psalm 23. ... The words jumped off the screen:
"God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word, You let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction."
God was paying attention! He did see me! Not only was He listening … He was answering.
© I Lift My Voice, 2015.