He Restores My Soul: Reflections on Psalm 23
Sunday, May 3rd was Good Shepherd Sunday on the Liturgical Calendar and I preached from the 23rd Psalm at our 10:00 a.m. Clayton worship service. This week, as I have continued to reflect over this Psalm and verse 3A which says "He restores my soul", I have been comforted, encouraged, and strengthened.
Gordon MacDonald in his book, Ordering Your Private World, emphasizes the importance of knowing your rhythm and budgeting your time throughout the year. As we are approaching the sixth month of year, I am becoming increasingly aware of my rhythm and my own need for soul refreshment.
It's been an exciting year with many opportunities for growth and development both professionally, ministerially and personally. I have been balancing marriage, family, ministry, personal dreams and aspirations, while partnering, parenting, pastoring, preaching, coaching and teaching others along their journey.
If you read my most recent blog posts you can hear my need for restoration coming through my musings and reflections. I have shared about handling the cares of life and how ministry never ends. It's as if the shepherd is guiding and reminding me of my need for total and complete dependence on him.
And if I needed more reminding, today, I attended an appreciation program for Ms. Denise Fortune, the retiring principal at my children's school (Providence Christian Academy) where the entire 7th grade class stood and recited Psalm 23. All I could do was sit and cry as these children reminded me of the shepherd's love.
Every year about this time and after a season of pouring out of my soul, I am always in need of reflection and refreshing. I am planning a brief getaway and I'm looking forward to my summer vacations. But nothing will take the place of stopping, listening and allowing "The Good Shepherd" to "lead me beside still waters" and "Restore My Soul!"
Still In His Presence,
Dr. Toni
2 Comments: Read Them or Post Yours Here:
Wow! What a powerful reflection and encouragement to us. Your insights and example remind all of us how much the good shepherd cares for us all. Psalm 23 was one of the first Psalms that I learned when I was a boy. I have known it so long that I do not even remember when I memorized it. Reading your post helped me to understand why it still has so much meaning for me today almost forty years since I came to memorize it. I think that it is because back then I learned the Psalm, as the years have rolled on by I have come to know the shepherd.
Stay in His presence!
Love you,
Bishop
Dr. Toni,
I always enjoy sermons, teachings, and discussions on the 23rd Psalm and your sermon on last Sunday was no exception.
As a child I had a pencil box and on the inside lid was the Pledge of Allegiance and the 23rd Psalm. My daddy (who did not go to church) told me when he was little those were the first 2 things they recited in the morning at school that's why they put it in the pencil box. So in second grade right before school started I would silently read it before we did the pledge.
Now that I'm an adult and know the Shepherd for myself it means so much more to relate this Psalm that highlights some of the character of God to my every day life.
Thank you for delivering such a great word.
Love you much,
Franchesca Tennille
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