Isn’t it amazing how many times th
ings come full circle in our lives?
When I was a young girl, my grandmother stayed with us for a short time. I remember crawling into bed with her each night, and snuggle next to her, loving the softness of her nightgown and the fragrance of lavender hand lotion. And in the quiet darkness, she would say Psalm 23. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”
I would repeat it over and over until I learned it. Then, she would say a few more lines.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul,” she whispered.
Of course, I wanted to know why green grass and water were so special. She explained that a shepherd takes very good care of his sheep. He provides food and water for them. He protects them. He searches for them if they wander off and get lost. She said, “The Lord takes care of us the way a good shepherd takes care of his sheep.”
“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 comfort me.”
I asked about the rod and staff, and my grandmother explained that a shepherd’s staff was to keep the sheep close and the rod was used to protect the sheep from wild animals.
Then she said, something I thought was very strange at the time. “I’m in the valley of the shadow of death right now, my precious granddaughter, but I am not afraid. I do not fear.” I did not understand what her words meant. I just nodded.
By the end of two weeks, I had memorized the entire 23rd Psalm.
My grandmother whom I loved dearly, died. At her funeral, I wiped my tears with one hand and with the other hand, I touched her hand. Immediately, I sensed the reality of death. But she left me something so precious to remember her by. Psalm 23.
Fifty Eight years later, I received a call from the nursing home where my mother lay dying. Her eyes were wide open – full of fear and terror. Her breaths came in spurts. I put my cheek next to hers and spoke softly. “Mom, Rita is here.” Then I said, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters; He restores my soul…” I said the entire 23rd Psalm – the Psalm her mother had taught me. My mother was in the valley of the shadow of death. “I will fear no evil,” I whispered.
I witnessed the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. My mother’s breathing came in slow, relaxed breaths. Her eyes looked serene. I knew she was comforted by the Lord Jesus whom she had received as her Savior many years prior.
The words of the 23rd Psalm came full circle – from her mother to me and from me back to my mother. That circle of comfort took more than a half century to complete. Nevertheless, it came full circle. And the power and comfort of God’s Word has never lost its impact on me.