23rd Psalm

shepherd
you have been kind
you have been good

you made me lie down
i did not want to or even feel i needed the rest
but you know what i truly need

I struggled against your staff of stillness
i wrestled to get away but you held me hard
it hurt but it was done in love
for my best interest

i have found a quiet stream
you lead me there though at times i thought it was all of my own making

i am being restored
built back not to my old self but to something new
a better version of myself
a more truthful expression
washed with tears
cleansed with blood
soothed with oil

I chose not the path
but rather stumbled upon it by grace
i can see i am finding my way
following the light
i feebly point for others to follow

the valley was dark
parts of me died
all that was meant to die
did

i clung to you
not fearing the dark but fearing my weakness

yet in the midst of it all i was never alone
correction and boundaries stung each cheek
but made me know that you were real
a kiss on each side

You have prepared a celebration
to mock the mocker
you make me beautiful
and i cannot contain my emotion
I am blessed
all my life
and let me praise you all of my days
forever