Make me lie down Lord!

Psalms 23: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 

^{Lord!  I get it, I finally get it!  After 30 years of serving You I finally got the revelation of this scripture!  (Doing the revelation dance! yee haw! ask me and I will tell you about the revelation dance)}

^{In our crazy excelerated world, its evident that we don't take the time to rest and be quiet before the Lord.  Hurry here, hurry there, Redbulls, Monsters,  5 hours, and then Xanax to come down from the energy drinks, geesh!!!!!!!!!!! We go fast and want to go faster, road rage, can't wait five seconds in a line at the bank or grocery store, "hurry up kids! got to get there just to wait", and then get angry all over again.  Our society is crazy!!!!!!!!  Lord help us or MAKE us lie down before You!  I like it that our Lord loves us enough when we are out of control He makes us lie down and who could think of a nicer place than in green pastures.  I lived on our family ranch for awhile when I was a child and there wasn't anything better than a nap in the grass in the orchard on a hot summer day, something about the cool grass and the smell of the living things growing all around, delicious!  Quiet waters, rolling your pant legs up and dipping your feet in the cool water, God knew of what he spoke of.}

He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

For His name’s sake.

 Yes Lord, please!  I will take restoration of my soul so I can go down the paths of righteousness that You have chosen for me for Your Name's sake.

Yes Lord, comfort and no fear, I will take some of that too!

 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; 

 I have learned Lord, to pray for mercy and blessings on my enemies.

You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Here is another scripture to meditate on also.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

So, I dare you, no I double dare you to turn off the TV, your cell phone, tell the kids to leave you alone and go into your prayer closet where you can't be disturbed and just praise God for all He is and wait, He shall surely restore your soul and renew your strength and maybe you will have an added bonus of getting a revelation of something He has been wanting to tell you, like how precious you are to Him.

     A few months ago when the weather was still brisk and cold early in the morning, I got off the bus and walked the block to my office.  I was walking through the parking lot toward my office door and slowed my pace as I noticed a young girl with a backpack in front of the building.  She was about 20ish, very lean, long mousy brown hair, and wearing a tanktop.  I watched the people going into the building treating her with distain because she was asking for money.  I was stunned at their attitudes. My heart was broken and I didn't know what hurt worse; the little girl needing help or the sadness of how society has become so calloused.
     Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  I don't deceive myself into believing everyone views life the same way I do, but I do know that everyone has the instinct to help each other if they haven't stifled it with smugness and self absorption. 
     I have always been one to try and be sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis and when I saw this girl I was filled with compassion. When I approached her and asked her what she needed. She was very sad and shivering  as she told me she had come to the area for a funeral for a family member and she was trying to get bus money to get home. I gave her money for food and some extra cash to help with her travels and when she looked at me tears filled her eyes.  I told her to wait there for a minute and I went inside to my room and got an old sweater I keep there.  I took it out and helped her put it on. She choked up with emotion.  I told her to go get something to eat and stay warm and "may God bless you in everything you do".  She was speechless but said thank you and walked away. 
     Was I a hero that day?  I think not.  I am just like anybody else and could have easily walked away from her and pretended not to see her, I could have judged her and not helped.  I prayed for her that day and maybe just maybe, the little insignificant gesture may have changed the direction of her life and had given her hope. 

Phillipians 5:4 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.