When my son was in first or second grade, he had a teacher that should have retired many years earlier. One day his class was late coming out of the school. I watched anxiously until I saw my little man walking out to the car with his head down looking dejected. As I pulled out of the pick-up line, I asked him why he was so late. “I just couldn’t momma.” When he hesitated, I asked, “You just couldn’t what son?” His voice was quivering as he said “I couldn’t decide if I should jump out the window or walk out the door. Teacher said ‘boys and girls, if you can’t act better tomorrow, don’t walk out this door’. And I just couldn’t momma, I couldn’t be any better!” After which he broke down in tears and I joined him.
At the time, I was trying to help my son memorize the 23rd Psalm as I did as a child. So, later that night when we were saying our prayers, I asked him to try something I always found helpful. To replace some of the scary words from the fourth verse of Psalm with his teacher’s name and remember that God was with him and wouldn’t let her hurt him no matter what. So, from that night on we worked on memorizing the 23rd Psalm with a slight deviation to the text and ‘the valley of the shadow of death’ became ‘the classroom of xxx’. All these years later I can’t read or quote the 23rd Psalm without pausing on the 4th verse and recalling what a difference it made in that school year. It replaced a frightened heart with a joyful one. God’s word never fails to provide comfort and direction in a dark valley of death (literal and figuratively).
I’ve found myself spending more time meditating on that and so many other Psalms that remind me of God’s protection and strength in times of trouble. I’m sure a lot of my angst is the caustic world I find myself in. I remember as a youngster practicing the now ludicrous drill to hide under our desk in case of a nuclear bomb attack. I even helped the neighbor kids dig their very own bomb shelter during those years. I have survived getting married as a teenager, raising two children, business failures, losing loved ones and multiple health scares in our family. So, I have experienced some nerve-wracking times, but the way through has always been the same. My only refuge is the Good Book. When I meditate on those truths, it becomes daily bread for my soul. And in order to thrive, I must feed my body, mind and soul.
If it’s difficult to find peace, you might enjoy the book of poetry called Psalms. It covers life’s highs and life’s low, much of which describes the struggles and victories of a man named David, who’s trials make anything troubling me seem small by comparison. Why not exchange some of those minutes you spend listening to your favorite news source or trolling social media for a little time in God’s Word. Meditate on that for a while and see if you don’t rest a bit more peacefully.
“God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in time of trouble-more than enough and always available whenever I need you.” (Psalm 46:1 TPT)
“So, here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Leave all your cares and anxieties at the feet of the Lord and measureless grace will strengthen you.” (Psalm 55:22 TPT)
“When we live our lives within the shadow of God Most High…God sends angels with special orders to protect you where you go, defending you from all harm.” (Psalm 55:9-11 TPT)
Yours for a Joyful Journey,
Joyice
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