Chapter 2: The Lord is My Shepherd

I was born on the 16th of May in 1952. After a very difficult labor my tiny Mom gave birth to me with great struggle and pain. It took her 3 days to birth me--her first born child. First miracle in my life! During the height of the polio epidemic in February 1955, I woke up from an afternoon nap burning up with fever. I was so hot my mother couldn't hardly touch me so she wrapped me in a blanket and took me to the hospital where they confirmed what she feared. I was diagnosed with poliomyelolitis and encephalitis. I was in a coma for seven days and the doctors said there was no chance for recovery. If I survived the fever, I would be mentally retarded and I would never walk again. With my mother's meticulous care for my recovery, to starting elementary school, I recuperated from all deficits of the disease poliomyelitis and I walked to my first day of school in 1956. Second miracle!

My baby sister was born at the same time I started school and then my brother 10 years after me. I loved them so much and eventual life circumstances put me, basically, in care of them until I left home when I was 17 years old. My father also became an alcoholic at the same time my brother was born --no relationship. I was ten when alcoholism moved into our home and kept its grip on my family until my father went into recovery when I was 23 years old. Dad tried to stop on his own but could not. It wasn't until Mom had divorced him that he committed himself to a recovery program based on the ten steps and Christian instruction. My father ask Jesus for two things: to have his family back and for Jesus to be his Savior. It was too late for his marriage but perfect timing for his healing--physically, spiritually and emotionally. My father has been sober for 35 years. Third miracle! Praise the Lord!

Let me make a disclaimer at this point that addresses my relationship to my parents. My father was an alcoholic from the time I was in fourth grade and my mother used co-dependency, rage, and bitterness to control her own life until the day she died. I had not seen or spoken to my mom for 14 years up to her death--that was her choice not mine.

My father is still living and has been sober, as I said, for 35 years. I have no regrets except I wish I could have been a part of my mother's life when she became so sick. I know my parents love(d) me. I love them. I have forgiven them whatever I felt they owed me or didn't do for me or how they hurt me when I was growing up. I am who I am today because of their parenting.

My mother's Protestant Scots background and my father's Irish Catholic heritage religiously impacted my growing up more from the heated and very boisterous debates or arguments some might say! Family harmony and conversations were never held below yelling level. However, the greatest positive and blessed influence on my growing up screwed up comes from memories of my childhood spent with my grandparents and attending Whitfield Estates Presbyterian Church in Florida. My grandfather was a founding elder there and, when I was 12 years old, I learned what I needed for catechism. The part of that learning experience that is still a part of me is the Twenty-third Psalm. It puts me to sleep even if I have to repeat it 2-3 times, as it comforts me and it soothes me, when I have situations that are difficult to handle. Although the Lord didn't become my shepherd truly until I was nine, I had a real encounter with Jesus the Great Shepherd and asked Him to come into my heart and stay there to never leave me. At this time Jesus became my best friend.

Journaling Assignment on Psalm 23
Use Psalm 23 for your reflection today. Without any instruction other than to read this scripture, empty yourself from any preconceived notions you have about this Psalm and write what God is saying to you from this Psalm. It is a prayer from David at a time when he needed rest and safety even around his enemies. Trust what you hear from God and write what you hear. He speaks in a still small voice.
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Copyright 2010
Excerpts from book, Biblescopes: Prophecy from One Who Created Stars by Edee Payne
Contact me: www.biblescopes3.blogspot.com or edlovesrp1976@gmail.com