Psalm 23 is a very famous chapter. The first time I really remember hearing it was at my great-grandmother's funeral in 3rd grade. I am sure I had heard it before then, but it seemed significant that day. It was the first funeral I had been to, and I wore the dress I wore in a wedding. Why I remember these things? I do not know. I have always liked the chapter though and the older I got, the more it meant. Like all people, life hasn't always been a bed of roses and through the years different parts meant more to me than others, but over all the idea that God prepares a table for us even while our enemies surround us, that He calls us special and loved and worthwhile....oh how the blessings flow, and yes, my cup runneth over and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!!
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Yea, 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, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
I have loved the movie "Hope Floats" since the first time I saw it...which was about 300 times ago. :) It is the story of perseverance when you think you can't take another step and of family that sometimes has to drag you along. It has great quotes like:
"That's why families were invented- so hopelessness doesn't get the last word"
or
"Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts the most. You need to remember that when you find yourself at the beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up, and it will too."
My favorite part of the movie is when the granddaughter tells her grandmother that she loves her and the grandmother, who is not good at showing emotion, says "my cup runneth over..." and it says everything that needs to be said.
The Lord is my shepherd, He has always restored my soul, and even in the bad times He leads me beside quiet waters and my cup runneth over. I hope you can see the table prepared before you even in the bad days because God is there, waiting for you, even when you haven't been looking for Him.
