It was an evening late in November, the leaves had fallen from their branches. The air had become crisp; but yet fresh as the spring time showers. Theresa was walking along the river bank near the Mississippi. She was dressed in a long, thick bluish gray coat, medium thick gloves, and was thinking how beautiful this evening had become.

As she strolled slowly, with a lazy sort of walk, she started wondering within her own thoughts. The 23rd Psalm came rushing in her head. She visualized what this life of her's was like from the verses she recalled. The painting of ones life is like watching the Father paint an evening sky. But; the differences in this painting Theresa was thinking different thoughts.

The first verse came to mind, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want" and with that she thought, now Father is expressing His concern and love for everyone. As she continued to walk, she remembered as a child how she longed to have this same love from her biological dad. In her mind she was seeing through an hour glass that had rewind to those childhood days.

How she longed for her own dad to give out love, protect her just like the shepherd protects his flock. But, her expression became solemn and she bowed her head, as she slowly walked ahead. Kicking small twigs and rocks to the water's edge.

She stopped and gazed up to the sky. Thinking how beautiful God had painted the soft colors of red, orange, and purple, as far as her eyes could see. This placed a small smile upon her soft, tender face. Still thinking of this psalm's she started seeing the waters more clearly in her mind.

The autumn meadows where the animals were wrestling amongst themselves, as they played in the fallen leaves. All of a sudden her thoughts went back to the psalm, "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters." Her train of thought drifted to this hour glass she had formed inside. Again longing that her own dad would have cared for her enough to provide protection and love for her.

She had decided that she would not get in her dad's way, so he could provide. She was so willing to do as any child would do to please their dad. She saw in this hour glass that she had decided to let God love her and take care of her as she slept, worked, played, and just was a kid. The third verse came immediately to her memory bank.

"He restores my soul, He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." She pondered for a few minutes trying to understand, 'He restores my soul'; what does that really mean and where in this life is it I was restored, she questioned? Knowing the powers that God has, she thought deep and hard.

Coming up with, when she felt weary, discouraged and needed reassurance in her life. She realized that God revives her and gives her new strength to face any tomorrows. Through the power and grace, God was leading her on the path that was conforming to His ways. Her heart began beating fast as she realized that she needed to listen with not just her ears, but her heart. Listening to the voice of the Spirit guiding her down her life's path.

Turning from the stranger's voice that was leading her astray. Theresa looked around slowly to see if her path was leading in the way God intended for her to go; or did she stray off on her own? She began to walk again with that old slow, lazy sort of walk. Sticking her hands now in the pockets of her coat. Continuing to remember how the psalm read.

"Even 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." She was in just a deep thought she did not notice that she had passed a few who were out on an evening stroll. Pondering hard on this, she went back to that hour glass. Here she saw herself in a dark valley, with trees succumbing all around her.

The wind was blowing and whistling throughout the valley's holes. She took her hands from the pockets of her coat, placed them around her, as if she was hugging someone close. The expression on her face became cold, frightened as a hurt child would feel. How she longed to get out of this valley, but it had engulfed her where she had to keep walking through it.

As she continued to walk she thought now, this is telling me I do not need to fear for God will take my hand; as the shepherd leads the sheep to safety, and walk with me until the end. Realizing that the rod was the strength of God to protect her. If danger was coming the rod was used as a weapon to shield her from harms way. The staff was used to pull her close to Him as they went through the deepest part of the valley. These two items are given to show the love that God has for her.

She is walking out of that dark, cold, and deep valley knowing that God is right there with her; no matter what evil thing comes her way. She is almost at the point of turning down another part of her life's path. When all of a sudden she recalls more of the psalm's. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; and my cup overflows."

She begins to feel within the warmth of love that God is giving her. He has placed a spot at His table for me, she replies. Regardless the evil forces that lay along her path, she realizes that God has chosen her to protect. A smile forms upon her face! As she walks she began to get a bounce in the smooth gliding stroll. A happy go lucky feeling rushes throughout her small framed body.

She feels the anointing oil upon her head. Gleaming with sweet thoughts about how special she is to God and He blesses her body, soul, and mind. She ponders just a bit on this cup overflows, wondering what that means. Down the path a ways she realizes this cup is for me to drink and it will continue to over flow. For it was sent from God above who loves her so. She realizes God is leading her to safety!

Theresa is now skipping along her life's path and remembers the last verse of the 23rd Psalm. "Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." A huge smile is now reflecting the love she is feeling from her Father up above.

Knowing in her thoughts she is going to always have the companion she longed for in a dad. She says aloud, He is my constant in my life, He shall help me through any problems that come my way. In her mind she hears her voice saying this is the dad I can trust to always walk beside me, and reside in His house forever more.

The evening has now turn to a dark starry night, and the air is brisk as Theresa walks on and begins to fade out of sight as the fog comes rolling in, with her dad, Abba, holding her hand.

Yes, God revives us all and give us a new strength to face all of our tomorrows.  Through HIS power and grace, God leads us continuously on HIS path as we conform to His ways. We all need to listen with not just our ears, but our hearts to the voice of the Spirit when he guides us down life's pathways. That's God's grace in action in our lives. Hearts for Christ thanks Trudy, who serves on the HFC Ministry Team, for this expressive article which creatively explains just a hint of the grace of God.