Different ~ Micah Tyler
The Lord is my
Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want. He lets me lie
down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters. He
refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of
righteousness for His name’s sake. ~ PSALM 23:1-3 AMP
Having been in the valley for over a year, I can attest
to how much I have felt like a sheep. There were many times I wanted to go my
own way, to stay a “stay-at-home” mom. But my Shepherd helped to steer me on
His path. During these last four weeks of watching my grandpa slip away, having
more job-doors close on us, and suddenly losing my father-in-law, my Shepherd
saw that I was becoming worn down and weary. That’s when He led me along paths
that were filled with time to rest and plenty of nourishment. He’s also been
bringing refreshment to my soul by bringing family and friends, whom I don’t
often see, to town. He does it not only because He can, but because He wants to do it.
For my God—my Shepherd—it wasn’t enough to heal and hold
me. His desire is to open my eyes to the beauty He’s making of our lives,
encouraging us to keep following Him. It was for His purposes that He brought
us 1500 miles away to Wisconsin, where we’d get to meet and reconnect with
friends and family who used to be 1500 miles away. Yes, 81 job-doors have been
closed on us (on Brad), but we only needed to find the right ONE to open. That
one wasn’t at all what we expected, but part of following our Shepherd is
experiencing unexpected blessings and changes He uncovers in us along the way.
If you are walking through a valley of your own, I know
how overwhelming it can feel. Now’s the time to run to your Shepherd so that He
can heal and hold you, but also so that He can open your eyes to the
experiences—the blessings and changes—of following Him.
©Heather Potts 2018
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