Psalm 23 Keeps Showing Up

Scripture

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." — Psalm 23:1

Reflection

For about a year and a half now, Psalm 23 has shown up almost daily in the most unexpected places. Songs, random Scripture banners, a Bible left open in public. At some point, you stop calling those things coincidences. When you learn to listen for Christ's voice, what once seemed random starts to make perfect sense.

A few days ago, our family experienced another heartbreaking loss. A relative lost their daughter before she had the chance to enter this world. Baby girl was expected on June 28th, but she was born sleeping on June 1st.

What's remarkable is what happened just before.

The Thursday before, God placed someone close to that family on my heart. The last time I had texted them was January 1st, but on my drive to work I couldn't shake the feeling that I needed to reach out. I knew the baby should be arriving soon, and I wanted to check in to make sure I hadn't missed any updates.

So I sent the text.

Everything was wonderful. They shared pictures from the baby shower and talked about the excitement of meeting their little girl in just a few short weeks.

Four days later, I received the devastating news. The doctors couldn't find her heartbeat.

As I prayed for the family, the reason for that Thursday text became clear.

God whispered, "Reach out to them. You don't know why now, but they're going to need you soon."

And then another thought followed:

"Remind them that I love them and that I have not forsaken them."

I can't take away their pain. I can't sit beside them because they're over 3,000 miles away. But I can point them to the One who can carry them through it. I can share Scripture. I can pray. I can remind them that even in unimaginable grief, God has not abandoned them.

This past Sunday, our pastor preached about being in the pit and refusing to build a house there. Christ is the One who pulls us out. One of the notes in my workbook simply said:

"Your story of faith will impact others for Christ."

Why was that point on my page this week?

Because God was speaking.

And for once, I was listening.

The older I get, the more I realize God really is like a Father, because He is. You know that moment when your dad has told you something over and over and over again, and you finally figure it out? Then the two of you exchange that look.

His look says, "I told you."

Your look says, "Yeah... I know."

That's where I am right now.

Prayer

Father, help me recognize Your voice and obey when You speak. Give me the courage to reach out when You place someone on my heart, even when I don't understand why. Remind me that my job is not to have all the answers, it's to trust You. Use my story, my obedience, and even my mistakes to point others toward You. Amen.

Practice

Today, if someone unexpectedly comes to mind, don't overthink it. Send the text. Make the call. Check in.

You may not understand why.

You may never know why.

But obedience isn't about understanding, it's about trusting.

And while we're at it, let's all try listening to our Father the first time He says something.

It'll save us a lot of those awkward "I told you so" conversations later.