This Sunday, we attended First Baptist Church with the Children's Choir, who did a wonderful job singing with the children's choir from that church.  It was heartening, on a gorgeous spring morning, to hear and see the great energy of the two groups of children working, singing, and then playing, together.  The subject of the sermon there today was "The Good Shepherd", and it was a good reminder, for me, of that Psalm.  I remember well having learned it in Sunday School in grade six, which is about the age of my kids now, and this inspired me to order it as wall art.  It has been one of most significant parts of the bible to me on my faith journey. I have often said it softly to myself in times of trial, like long journeys on dark highways, or bumpy flights in heavy air.  Fun fact: on reading The Survivors Club, a book about how to live through worst-case scenarios, I learned that this Psalm, and a personal faith in accompaniment by a higher power who is acting as a "good shepherd", has a statistically proven benefit to those who hold the belief.  Regardless of whether or not it is true (and we have to take a leap of faith to share in the belief), the belief itself is protective. It gives people confidence and strengthens their resolve, cultivating resilience where, as is often the case, some determinants of survival depend upon individual choice.  So, it is an important Psalm.  I reproduce it here as a gesture to any reader that I hope it helps them. A blessing.

Rebecca B.

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.