Often read at funerals, Psalm 23 may carry a somber or even sorrowful tone for some. Yet the psalmist’s imagery provides the most beautiful description of God’s presence among us. We encounter a tender, compassionate God – a God who lavishes care on us. It’s hard to fathom a God that – who is God of the universe – is busy creating safe space for us in lush, verdant gardens. If that weren’t enough, God sets about bringing us to living waters of restoration. God becomes our faithful companion, staying right by us in the middle of tragedy and heartbreak.
Sometimes friends and family may become overwhelmed when they see us experiencing challenging circumstances. But in an act of profound hospitality, God rolls up her sleeves, adds a leaf to the dining room table and gets to work anticipating our needs and nurturing us with rich and abundant food for the soul. We wash down this soul food with goodness and mercy, and God welcomes us to dwell in her house forever.
This message is excerpted from “Plenty good room” by Angela T. Khabeb in the May 2020 Gather magazine. Today we commemorate Julian of Norwich, renewer of the church, c. 1416.
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