The Lord is My Shepherd, I Shall Not Want....

There is a man at church who has something of a "cell phone ministry" - for me anyhow. It all started back when he would set my cell phone alarm for random early morning times, say like 4:30.

How does he get my phone, you ask? Well, I leave it in the foyer, until the members of the deaf ministry team arrive in case someone texts me to say they're not able to be there. Probably divine intervention that it won't pick up in the sanctuary...

One week, was different. There was no alarm set. I then noticed the "banner" inside had been changed. Where my "Thus Far" had been, was a verse.

Week after week, verse after verse. If nothing else, it got me into my bible. But, many weeks, the verse was dead on. This week is no exception.

For anyone who follows my blog, or has befriended me on Facebook, it's pretty clear that life has been less than smooth sailing recently, which is OK (check in tomorrow for more details there...). I've been through a storm or two and know that there is always healing on the other side.

This week at church was especially powerful for me. Some weeks are more so than others. Typically, I feel it most while I am interpreting music - or watching my friends interpret the same. God has always spoken to me through music, and when I am singing and signing, it is all the more so.

I felt the tears welling during rehearsal, and watched them spill during worship. I'd composed myself by the time we left. I hugged my church family and wished them Merry Christmas.

On my way out the door, I picked up my phone and casually glanced at the banner inside. Sure enough, the 2 Kings verse had been replaced. "Psalm 23" was now in it's place.

I nodded and kept walking. In my car, I fastened my seat belt and headed the mile home. At the bottom of the hill, before turning onto the main road, it hit me.

Psalm 23. "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want...", I said aloud. My eyes filled with tears as I continued home.

My heart and my cup runneth over, and I am reminded again and again of how truly blessed I am.

Enjoy the song....

23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

The Presence of God...

I recently got to experience the expression "The presence of God won't take you, where the Grace of God won't keep you...."

It was Sunday morning. I was at the rehearsal with the band before the service. My kids were technologically entertained with a DS and an ipod. The presence of God was all around - I could feel it the moment I set foot on the stage. I could see it on the face of the pastor's daughter as she danced and clapped her hands to the music.

As we rehearsed, each of the songs touched my heart, more and more deeply. We started with "Your Grace is enough...." My hands made the signs for "grace" and "enough" and "satisfy", as I considered that - His grace IS enough...and yet, I have been blessed with so much more... the "stuff", the friendships, my children, other children... blessed, I tell you! Beyond my wildest imaginings!

We moved into the next set - "Blessed be Your name" led. As I signed of the "land that is plentiful" and the "walk through the wilderness", I pictured both in my life. Those moments when everything was 'right' in the world, and my most difficult struggles. As I walked through each, He has been there. Over time, I am learning to praise Him in the midst of both.

That thought segued right into the next song "oh, oh, You never let go...". But it wasn't that line that captured me. It was the 23rd Psalm part - "I will fear no evil, for my God is with me. And if my God is with me, whom then shall I fear?" No one - which is what I signed as the question repeated: "people influence fear, who? none!"

The forth song, was an invitation for God to be near. Over and over, I signed "Be near, oh God...", which ended in "Another Hallelujah". For some reason, that song seems to stay on my hands. There aren't that many words, and most of them are "Hallelujah!" - a killer for the shoulders, but wonderful for the heart.

It was a wonderful, wonderful time with God - all before the congregation arrived.

It was during the service itself, that I witnessed the grace of God keeping me in a very, very different way.

As I stood up front, interpreting the music, He held my tongue and moved my hands as I struggled with the overwhelming urge to tell my son - who was chattering away (loudly enough for me to hear him) - to "SHUT UP!"

Fortunately, my internal stress had diminished following the prayer, and I was able to speak with him rationally - and not screaming from the stage!

Thank you God for Your constant hand on my shoulder....

You Never Let Go....

The song is new to me this week, though the concept is not. It's essentially the 23rd Psalm modernized. As I sat with my mentor to translate the lyrics into American Sign Language, I was reminded of a conversation I'd had recently with a friend of mine. We were discussing the goings on in her life. Her 'storms'. I was also reminded of mine.

One line stuck with me, as I read and later listened:

"And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life, I won't turn back. I know You are near"

I am grateful for the moments of darkness - those trips through the valley - when I know, without a doubt, that He is near. Those journeys are never easy - but are so much more bearable feeling His presence.

Sometimes, it is in the midst of the storms that I am MORE aware of His presence... probably because I am actively searching for Him then.

It's the journeys that more mirror the Barlow Girl's song, Never Alone, that are more difficult. Those moments where I just want to run and hide. Please tell me when it's over! Those moments are captured in the chorus of their song:


"I cry out with no reply and
I can't feel You by my side
So I'll hold tight to what I know
You're here and I'm never alone."

In those times, the only thing that made me believe that God is near, was that I had been told that He is. Those moments are the tough ones. They are the ones that require faith. I thank those people who reminded me - again and again - of His ever-presence. The people who pointed Him out when I could not see. The people who restored my faith when I was in short supply. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I have many of those "valley" experiences under my belt. Retrospectively, I've realized that no matter what I felt in the midst of it, He was there. He has Never Let Go. He will Never Let Go. That perspective builds my faith that in the present, or in the future, as I walk forth, He will be with me. I shall not fear.

Thank You, God, for Your ever-presence in my life. May I search for You "through the calm and through the storm". May those walking "through the valley of the shadow of death" feel your presence, and fear no evil.

You Never Let Go...

Amen.