Daily Worship

Alone in the crowd

Fiona Campbell June 22, 2016 0 0

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd.
    I have everything I need.
 He gives me rest in green pastures.
    He leads me to calm water.
3He gives me new strength.
For the good of his name,
    he leads me on paths that are right.
Even if I walk
    through a very dark valley,
I will not be afraid
    because you are with me.
Your rod and your shepherd’s staff comfort me.

 You prepare a meal for me
    in front of my enemies.
You pour oil of blessing on my head.[a]
    You give me more than I can hold.

 Surely your goodness and love will be with me
    all my life.
And I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Cattle, dairy and sheep farmers who have brought animals in from the fields in the last week, are arriving at Ingliston from all corners of Scotland. Many one-person businesses will be preparing their specialized product, hoping to make the best sales of the year, in four days. There is a sense of anticipation amongst the busy sheds and stands as everybody gets ready, and worries about whether or not they will succeed.

 

I feel so much on my own at times and it is the coldest of feelings
Even on a warm summer day;
Whether I am out in the field, up on the hill or down amongst the crowd.
Sometimes even with my family, I feel alone;
Worrying about the debt, and when the bank will phone;
Looking at the number of jobs needing doing, and which order to do them in.

I feel so alone, having to explain to my child why they can’t have new clothes.
The distance between us grows across the table.
Compared to my neighbour, my equipment is old and I know they’ve seen this
And I dare not ask for help again.
Lord, why is it so hard to talk to the people I love?
Why is it so difficult to know how to pray?

Why is it so hard to take on board what your Psalmist servant wrote,
And to trust in you for strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow?
Why is it so hard to understand that just as I want to care for my folk,
So You want to care for me; have said You will care for me?
Even when the darkness overtakes me – the dark is as light to You.
Give me the strength I need to come through.

This day lead me by still waters and grant me some rest.
Quieten the voices that constantly tell me:
“Nobody is there to help you!”
Speak to me and assure me that I am loved,
And that wheresoever I go – you walk ahead of me;
Preparing and sheltering my today and tomorrow.