Sunday, March 22, 2009

He makes me lie down

Psalm 23 has never been my favourite. I'm not very good at lying down in green pastures. When I'm made to do that, as I have with this cold, I very quickly start feeling useless and often depressed.

Fortunately, depression has not come along with this cold. But I do feel a separation of sorts with the work I want to do. I'm discovering too that I need to read my Bible more - a lot more. I need to stay closer to God than I have been.

So this morning I meditated on Psalm 23. It was comforting. It made me realize that it's okay to rest once in awhile. Through rest, God will restore. In the meantime:
"You prepare a table before me...You anoint my head with oil...Surely goodness and love will follow me." (verses 5-6)

I don't feel up to going to church this morning. Still far too tired and weak. But my husband and I have been puttering, cleaning up one very messy and dirty room of the house - taking long breaks in between. We'll do a bit more of that today. Good to be accomplishing that, though I must say, tidying is not one of my favourite things to be doing. I tend to be a creative person, not a maintainer - not one to keep things tidy at all. But I do need to spend at least part of my time doing that. Things in my house are dreadfully out of control.

Neat thing about doing this work is that I'm doing it alongside my husband. It's giving us something to do together. Because we do so many things apart from each other, this is a good thing.

...and I will meditate on the Psalms.

6 comments:

Spin Original said...

In Psalm 23, after God "makes me lie down in green pastures" (rest), He then LEADS me beside still waters (guidance and refreshing). There's a time for everything, and with work comes rest. Know that God is always leading us - isn't that great!!

(And, with creativity comes cleanliness!! :)

It's nice to do things with a spouse. I was thinking the same thing while Dion and I were folding clothes together the other night... "The couple that folds laundry together, stays together"!)

marja said...

Paula: Folding laundry together! How neat! I don't think I could get my husband to help with that chore.

Don't know about cleanliness coming with creativity, though. I guess it should, but for many - like me - it doesn't.

Nancie said...

Dear Marja,

Thanks for all your prayers, visits and encouragements. I have been very fatigue recently, learning to pace myself and looking to God. Thank God for strength and grace daily.

I love Psalm 23 too. Recently, the Lord has been using this Psalm to encourage me in many wonderful ways. It is comforting to remember that the Lord is our Shepherd and we shall not lack. He gives us rest and restores our souls. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May God continue to strengthen and restore you. Take care.

With love and prayers,
Nancie

marja said...

Dear Nancie, I'm sorry you've been so tired. Yes, do pace yourself, okay? Thank your for your prayers, dear sister in Christ.
Love, marja

'Tart said...

We've been tidying too, finally getting our living room and dining room nicer and less cluttered.

I hope you feel better soon, Marja.:)
Sincerely,
Tart

marja said...

Thanks, Tart. Yes, we're getting going on our messes - now to "keep" going on our messes. It's easy to lose momentum, as we are now. And I'm starting to feel much better. Took awhile though.
- marja