The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

As I have said before, Life, like a flowing river, has its own rules and route ... and I have often wondered how much control we have over it all.

 Yesterday, Life overwhelmed me - once again - and I stood at its crossroads. The years had paled its memory partially, so I struggled ..... unable to find my way, unsure of what I needed to do.... I was numb.

 My instant reaction was - did I deserve this? I guess that is typical of all who have stood at this junction before. It's comforting in a way to be a "victim"... but can we always wash our hands of any contribution towards bringing on these circumstances? In most cases, not. However, a blame game also brings us nowhere .....numbers don't stack up here. Situations seem to have minds of their own, like that flowing river, throwing you off gear when you least expect it. 

 I have always believed, that our life is the result of our choices, and we must take accountability for the same - but today, a very close friend pointed out - do we always make our choices, or do things sometime "just happen"? Like that turbulent river, I guess ..... pulling you along, willingly or grudgingly. I guess he was right. We don't always get to chose. Sometimes, Life stealthily comes upon you in silent ambush, and we have to "react".

 But we can chose how to "react".....

 Once before when I stood at a similar crossroad, another close friend had taught me this prayer...


And I repeated it last night ..... I will repeat it often now......as I am in need of serenity, courage and wisdom.

 But above all this, I remembered, what I learnt, possibly in Grade 4 or 5 - that when things overwhelm you and you simply cannot fathom what you should do, place your problems in God's hands and believe in Him, continue to have faith that He will do what is best for you - whether you understand or not!

 So, as Life took me, once more, in its stride, on a ride I did not really want to go .....I recalled this psalm I was taught in my convent school:

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.He restoreth my soul: he leadeth 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 thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

Amen.

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