Peaceful Streams

The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside
peaceful streams...

He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his
name.

Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will
not be afraid, for you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my
enemies.

You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with
oil.

My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all
the days of my life,

and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23

We recently got to visit Randy's parents at their house in Bluff City, TN. They live on several acres of beautiful farmland right at the foot of Holston Mountain. We've always enjoyed visiting them. But this time I realized that I've come to view this place as a retreat of sorts. This time I needed a retreat for my soul. I sat on their porch, eating breakfast one morning, as I watched the kids playing at the pond catching tadpoles and salamanders. It was so quiet. Hummingbirds would swoop down and sip sweet nectar from the feeder right above me. It had rained so much in this area recently that I could hear the stream behind their house. Most of last year it was so dry that there wouldn't even be any water at all in the stream.

After breakfast I walked back to the stream and was amazed at how beautiful it was. As I stood there watching and listening to the water, all I could think of was the verse in Psalm 23 that says, "He leads me beside peaceful streams." I wanted to stay there all day. In the middle of our trials, I am able to find peace. This is a peace that the world could never understand. But my God is bigger than any trials I could endure.

It was such a good time for us. I feel refreshed. I may not know what the next few weeks or months will bring, but I do know that I have a God that does know and I trust Him to show me the way.