Comfort Care
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures...your rod and your staff they comfort me." Psalm 23:1-2a, 4d (ESV)
I love the long drive down to my friend Melissa's farm. Located about 2 hours from Birmingham in the heart of Alabama's Black Belt, the farmlands and rolling green pastures stretch for miles as far as the eye can see. Cows and horses can often be found grazing in the pastures that line the lonely two lane county roads found there. It's also not unusual to see tractors and hay bales out in those green pastures. Alabama's mild climate and rich, fertile soil combine to provide ideal conditions for lots of green grass to grow in farm pastures. In fact, green pastures are the norm in Alabama, not the exception. As such, it's easy for us to take them for granted.
One of the important rules for good Bible study is to remember a text's context. A recent conference speaker shared that her favorite seminary professor began each class session with the words, "Shalom, Class!" The students were expected to respond, "Shalom, Jay!" The professor would then say, "Context is..." and the class was expected to answer in unison, "King!" The professor would then reinforce the important idea by saying, "That's right, Class. Context is king!" Every lecture in that teacher's classroom began with the same takeaway: Context is king!
What was true for my friend's seminary class is just as important for us each time we read a passage of scripture. When King David penned Psalm 23, he wasn't living in rural Alabama. He was living in ancient Israel around 1000BC. Most of Israel at that time was hot, arid, desert country with little rain and few green pastures. Whatever green pastures the sheep eventually found themselves in required a lot of work on the part of their good shepherd. Once a green pasture was located or cultivated, it became a spot where the sheep could eat, drink, and rest.
I was challenged recently to consider the many green pastures that God has graciously provided in this difficult season of caregiving for Mama and James Bruce. Some of my green pastures have included:
James Bruce sleeping later than usual so that Bruce and I have a little bit of quiet and respite in our mornings
thinking of you cards, texts, and emails from a variety of sources
several friends offering to take James Bruce out for 1-2 hours to eat, bowl, or watch a movie
the Special Ones Moms' retreat that provided fellowship, friendship and "I'm praying with and for you" opportunities
Mama having more good days than bad days for the last 2 weeks
one of the sweet memory care residents telling me that Psalm 23 is her favorite Bible verse. I had no idea the woman was listening to me walk through Psalm 23 with Mama each time I visit.
someone leaving a beautiful ceramic cross in my mail box. The cross' text was from Psalm 46: "God is with her. She will not fall."
James Bruce being accepted in a new day program at The ARC in Crestwood. His start date is May 22 and we are especially grateful for this green pasture.
And last, but not least, a sweet homemade card with the words "Jesus cares for you, Mia!" from my five year old granddaughter Caroline. Truer words were never spoken and they came at a moment that I really needed to be reminded of that truth.
Each green pasture brought me help, hope, and comfort from our Good Shepherd. Comfort has been my sacred echo over the last few weeks even to the point of helping my sister and me select a Hospice agency for Mama: Comfort Care. Jan and I both agreed those two words aptly describe the truths David affirms in Psalm 23. The Shepherd's constant care and comfort sustains us in both life and death. His goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives. And for those who know Him, we will dwell, not in pasture tents as sojourners, but in His house as residents forever.(Psalm 23:6) That will be the best green pasture we could imagine.
Comfort care and green pastures from the Great Shepherd of the sheep (Hebrews 13:20).