Jennifer McNally

I’m going to do something a bit different for this week’s devotions. Some of this is based on my own personal need for a sense of peace during a continuously churning world. This also coincides with the John Noltner exhibit currently displayed at Easter’s Hill location. It is here through the month of February so I encourage you to check it out before it’s gone. PBN

 Stop. Take a deep breath. Now think of the most peaceful place you’ve ever been. Imagine you’re there—what do you see, smell, and hear? Dwell there for a time.

Listen. Once you have returned from your peaceful place, we travel to a story and image that gives many people peace. Psalm 23:1-4 says “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.”

Reflect. The story that Jennifer McNally shares with her portrait might sound too familiar. She traveled to Florida to visit a close friend with lung cancer. While visiting in the hospital, her friend asked for a pen to write down her “patient goals”. The goals were to “Get well. Go Home. Spread joy.” Jennifer recounts that “when something’s happening to me that seems terrible, if I can’t be thinking of my friend saying she wanted to spread joy when she’s in her hospital bed hardly able to breathe… if I can’t keep that in mind, then there’s something wrong with me.”

We remember that even during difficult times it is Jesus who shepherds us, Jesus who goes with us, Jesus who provides for us. For sheep a GREEN pasture is likely a vision of heaven itself (especially in desert areas) and still water is much easier/safer to drink from than a river. Our shepherd desires the same signs of abundant life for us, too. I hope this brings you some comfort today.   

Pray. Gracious God, no matter the circumstance, we know that you are with us and we thank you for giving us comfort. Be with all who are living with illness today. Amen. 

Carry On. Going back to the “patient goals”: what’s one thing you can do to spread joy today?