Heavenly Father I praise You for the seasons and for the seasons of life. I praise You for making us strong enough to weather storms and stand against hardships when they come. I praise You for helping me to keep going even after finding my youngest son dead. You, O Lord, are my shepherd; I shall not want. You make me lie down in green pastures; You lead me beside still waters and You restore my soul; You lead me in paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake. 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Your house forever. [Psalm 23]
Holy Spirit Your word says: “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not cease.” [Genesis 8:22] I have learned life continues even when I don’t want it to. I have faced many trials in life: the loss of 5 unborn babies, being overlooked for job promotions, Cancer twice, blood clots, septic twice, a truck accident, a knee replacement, and the loss of my youngest adult son. I have also had many blessings, finding a wife, getting a job just before my 16-year job at a factory closed, my daughter being born, my son being born in an ambulance, my miracle son being born after the doctors told us he would not be born, achieving academic success with a Bachelors and a Masters, reaching 20 years at a very demanding job, finding a church where I can once again feel fed, publishing 3 books and having a website to help others learn to pray Your word.
No matter the season, You remain and walk with me. I may feel depressed or I may feel like I am at the mountaintop, but You are there all the time. At times like these I fully rely on the Psalms to express my heart.
The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say concerning the Lord, who is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust: He himself will rescue you from the bird trap, from the destructive plague. He will cover you with his feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield. You will not fear the terror of the night, the arrow that flies by day, the plague that stalks in darkness, or the pestilence that ravages at noon. Though a thousand fall at your side and ten thousand at Your right hand, the pestilence will not reach you. You will only see it with your eyes and witness the punishment of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord—my refuge, the Most High—your dwelling place, no harm will come to you; no plague will come near your tent. For he will give his angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways. They will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the young lion and the serpent. Because he has his heart set on me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows my name. When he calls out to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and give him honor. I will satisfy him with a long life and show him my salvation. Let this be true to me, Amen. [Psalm 91]