I grew up in Oklahoma City. I have to say I had a wonderful childhood where I spent most of my time outside with my friends riding bikes around the lake, swimming at a local pool, playing at the park and dreaming under the stars at night.
We were in church every Sunday and it is there I learned and memorized Psalm 23 (I think it is the only scripture I still recite in the King James Version!) I always wondered why this was only one of few scriptures my Sunday school teachers required us to remember and recite because the line “yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death” was frightening.
Sometimes when I find myself in the valley and life is difficult, when I’m stressed or worried, I find myself back in my old neighborhood. I sometimes stop at the park and sit on the swings, sometimes I drive to the lake and take a walk, sometimes I park on the street where we lived, close my eyes and remember staring up at the stars full of hope and amazement. It is here where I find clarity and my faith is renewed. Most of the time I don’t even realize that it is here where I force myself to surrender and fully reach out to God.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures
“He leads me beside the still waters;
“He restores my soul.” –Psalm 23: 2-3b
I understand now why the psalm was so important to remember. It is a description of God. He is guiding, comforting, protecting and restoring, an assurance of His love. Thank you to my Sunday school teachers!
Julie Robinson, Director of Studio 222 After School Program
