SHEPHERD OF MY HEART

My heart is so heavy. I have had
this “weighed down spirit” for a week now. Not because of anything in my own
life that is causing me problems, but for other people. Other friends who are
going through such struggles I know they are having a hard time getting up in
the morning and maybe they are even on “life support”.  Every breath they take is such a struggle for
them because they are not sure what awaits them around the next corner and I know
that feeling. I know that wait. The one where we know God is at work but we
must wait on Him to show us His answers. It can be a long one and the longer we
sit in the waiting room the more anxious we become.

As I sit here this morning
looking through files on my laptop trying to find a blog I thought I wrote for
future use (which it turns out I didn’t actually type up but I did hand write
while eating lunch one day) I ran across a letter I wrote to some friends a few
years ago. I hope they don’t mind if I revise it a little and share it today. I
think some other friends might need this. 

I so love God’s imagery in His
Word when He calls Himself our Shepherd. 
This picture hangs on our wall right above our
television. I bought it when I was engaged to Mark and it has hung in the same
spot these 18 years. I love it because it brings me such comfort in knowing
that I belong to God and that He is my Shepherd. He takes care of me in so many
special ways. And especially when I feel so overwhelmed I know I can go to
Him and find comfort in His arms. 

Just last
night I was staring up at it and this verse came to my mind….

He tends his flock like a shepherd:

   He gathers
the lambs in his arms

and carries them close to his heart;

   he gently
leads those that have young.

Isaiah
40:11 (NIV)

            There are so
many verses in the Bible that relate to God being our Shepherd but I so love
this verse. I know you have had it rough for a while now. Rest assured that God
has you in His arms and He will keep you close and safe through all God is
leading you in. Psalm 23 reminds us that He leads us to still waters and
refreshes our soul.

A Psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside
the still waters.
 He restores my soul; He leads 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 You are
with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare
a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

Psalm
23:1-6 (NKJV)

 John 10 assures us
that we are His sheep and He is our Shepherd and He knows each one of us by
name and He won’t let us go.

One final thought:

 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I
am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My
yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matthew
11:28-30 (NKJV)

Peace I leave with you, My peace I
give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27
(NKJV)