Sharing: The Lord is my Caregiver

FINDING COMFORT AND HOPE IN PSALMS
After a year of mystery and confusion in my chronic illness treatments, I felt my weary soul being drawn back to read the book of Psalms. The honesty and raw emotion there brought comfort and camaraderie to my aching spirit. Ah, yes, here was the identity and true hope I had longed for!

When I paused at Psalm 23, I wondered if I would see the repetition of such familiar words as just another chain upon my dreary days. I had heard it all before, again and again. Yet, I felt a strange urging to see it differently.

What if I saw this Psalm written not only for sheep following a shepherd, but also for another unique group of people longing for guidance and care?
What if I sat with each verse as if it were written for those of us walking a lonely path?
What if I paraphrased Psalm 23 for people living with chronic illness?

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD (Psalm 23:1-6 ESV)
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul. He leads 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 you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
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 LORD IS MY CAREGIVER (Psalm 23:1-6, paraphrased)
The Lord is my caregiver, so I lack nothing for my care. …

I would love to have you join me over at Chronic Joy, to read the rest of this post and hear the paraphrase that the Lord put on my heart. Click here to join me there today.

As so often happens, the Lord reminded me of these words at just the time that I have needed to hear them again. My husband has been waiting for almost 6 weeks now to get through the red tape required for his specialty heart medication–the only one that is prescribed for his type of cardiac amyloidosis. And I’ve been waiting , still, for a call back from my surgeon with his recommendation about this large thyroid nodule that has expanded down into my chest cavity.

It’s been tempting to give into hopelessness or cynicism about these medical systems. And yet–WHO is my chief caregiver? Isn’t it the Lord Jesus Christ? Isn’t He our true Good Shepherd, far above these things of the world?

Can we depend on Him for our care?

Can we be sure that His goodness and mercy will follow after us?

Oh Yes and yes, my dear friends! We have found Him to be so faithful, and He will be faithful still.

This song has been such a blessing to me over these past months. I pray for that same blessing over you my friends. Wherever your journey is taking you, our Good Shepherd knows the way ahead.