I met you twice now at the silent retreats at Good Shepherd, Lexington. Your message today, and both songs have touched me so deeply, and shifted something inside me. Thank you so much. Off and on for about a year, thanks to you, I have been meditatively reciting Psalm 23 before my morning sit. I have a question - can you describe what you picture when the Psalmist says, "You prepare a table before me, in the presence of those who trouble me."?
Yes, so good to connect with you again, Sherry. Thank you for sharing your experience. And I love your pondering the line in the 23rd Psalm, "You prepare a table before me, in the presence of those who trouble me." I'm drawn to that line, too, and I'm sure that pondering it over time would open all sorts of thoughts, feelings, and insights.
When I think of someone "preparing a table or spreading a table before me," I first of all think of someone who has been thinking about me, waiting for me, looking forward to my arrival or visit. For example, I can imagine leaving work or ending a day that perhaps included some controversy, some disturbing news, so vexing problems, and so on, and I go to visit a friend who had invited me to stop by after work that day. And while I'm still very much aware of all that is troubling and disturbing me, when I walk into my friends' house, I see their faces and their table and realize that they have been looking forward to my arrival all day, while I've been upset much of the day. I can see that they have "spread quite a table" for me -- nothing fussy, maybe even very simple, but obviously thoughtful, generous, and kind. And although I had been tense and upset as I drove to their house, I start to sense again that these are friends who will always be with me and will care for me, no matter what I have done or what has happened in my life.
That's one image. I think of the turmoil, controversy, and chaos in which I spend too much time, while a deeper and more expansive life and Presence always waits for me. I also think of times I have been worried or anxious, and "out of the blue" birdsong breaks through my brooding, reminding me of "a table spread before me in the presence of all that is troubling me," and I step outside to breathe deeply and "come back to myself" or to a deeper truth about my life. Or my wife takes my hand unexpectedly, a friend calls me serendipitously, or my golden retriever nuzzles me sweetly! All these can waken or bring me back, so to speak.
Finally, I think of a "table prepared or spread for me" as a source of nourishment, hospitality, and love prepared by one who loves me, thinks about me, and waits for me the way the Father waits for the prodigal. Always there, always hoping for me and waiting for me. The troubles in my life are real and might also be waiting for me, too; but the table prepared for me in the midst of all that troubles me helps me to be less fearful or anxious about it all. There are many "enemies" of a deeper and more generous life, including seemingly benign "enemies" like constant distractions and algorithms designed to keep me occupied with life-draining thoughts and occupations. But Someone who loves me and has my best interests in mind is always going through it all with me, reassuring me, comforting me, calming me, even "shepherding me" back to my true life, and that makes all the difference. I'm not alone.
That's sort of a long reply, but I can imagine that line from Psalm 23 evoking all sorts of images!
I look forward to seeing you the next time I'm in Lexington, Sherry.
Thank you so much for your kind help, Gary. You've given me so much to ponder. I will be thinking about this for some time to come. See you in Lex. Sincerely, Sherry
The peace of prayer and connection thank you for sharing.
I met you twice now at the silent retreats at Good Shepherd, Lexington. Your message today, and both songs have touched me so deeply, and shifted something inside me. Thank you so much. Off and on for about a year, thanks to you, I have been meditatively reciting Psalm 23 before my morning sit. I have a question - can you describe what you picture when the Psalmist says, "You prepare a table before me, in the presence of those who trouble me."?
With much love and appreciation.
Yes, so good to connect with you again, Sherry. Thank you for sharing your experience. And I love your pondering the line in the 23rd Psalm, "You prepare a table before me, in the presence of those who trouble me." I'm drawn to that line, too, and I'm sure that pondering it over time would open all sorts of thoughts, feelings, and insights.
When I think of someone "preparing a table or spreading a table before me," I first of all think of someone who has been thinking about me, waiting for me, looking forward to my arrival or visit. For example, I can imagine leaving work or ending a day that perhaps included some controversy, some disturbing news, so vexing problems, and so on, and I go to visit a friend who had invited me to stop by after work that day. And while I'm still very much aware of all that is troubling and disturbing me, when I walk into my friends' house, I see their faces and their table and realize that they have been looking forward to my arrival all day, while I've been upset much of the day. I can see that they have "spread quite a table" for me -- nothing fussy, maybe even very simple, but obviously thoughtful, generous, and kind. And although I had been tense and upset as I drove to their house, I start to sense again that these are friends who will always be with me and will care for me, no matter what I have done or what has happened in my life.
That's one image. I think of the turmoil, controversy, and chaos in which I spend too much time, while a deeper and more expansive life and Presence always waits for me. I also think of times I have been worried or anxious, and "out of the blue" birdsong breaks through my brooding, reminding me of "a table spread before me in the presence of all that is troubling me," and I step outside to breathe deeply and "come back to myself" or to a deeper truth about my life. Or my wife takes my hand unexpectedly, a friend calls me serendipitously, or my golden retriever nuzzles me sweetly! All these can waken or bring me back, so to speak.
Finally, I think of a "table prepared or spread for me" as a source of nourishment, hospitality, and love prepared by one who loves me, thinks about me, and waits for me the way the Father waits for the prodigal. Always there, always hoping for me and waiting for me. The troubles in my life are real and might also be waiting for me, too; but the table prepared for me in the midst of all that troubles me helps me to be less fearful or anxious about it all. There are many "enemies" of a deeper and more generous life, including seemingly benign "enemies" like constant distractions and algorithms designed to keep me occupied with life-draining thoughts and occupations. But Someone who loves me and has my best interests in mind is always going through it all with me, reassuring me, comforting me, calming me, even "shepherding me" back to my true life, and that makes all the difference. I'm not alone.
That's sort of a long reply, but I can imagine that line from Psalm 23 evoking all sorts of images!
I look forward to seeing you the next time I'm in Lexington, Sherry.
Thank you so much for your kind help, Gary. You've given me so much to ponder. I will be thinking about this for some time to come. See you in Lex. Sincerely, Sherry
I always feel safer and stronger after listening to your message. My faith needs strengthening.
Thank you so much my friend.