Prayin 4 *EWE* {Stampin Sisters in Christ}

I've seen the name of this blog for a while now, so I finally mozzied on over to check it out! I LOVE IT!!

Stampin Sisters in Christ is a blog for "Paper Crafts Inspired by Scripture" with challenges posted every Sunday. This might have to be one of my new favorites!

This weekend their challenge was to create with the colors blue and green, as inspired by Psalm 23 ~ a scripture that has brought encouragement to my heart countless times.

Years ago, we walked through a particularly difficult season, a valley of "death" of sorts. As Lisa H. shared in her post, death in this verse can certainly refer to the many "deaths" that we can experience in our lives. In our case, at this time, it was many things; the *death* of a business, the *passing* of some things that we had hoped for, discouragment, difficulty, hardship, and in many moments, dispair. And in walking through the loss of these things there was the necessity to *die to self* - the realization that we could do *nothing on our own*! (which is not a bad thing!) We were empty and dry, void of even hope at times. BUT GOD!!!!....

One particular morning, the Lord encouraged my heart with this chapter.

{Psalm 23}

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the [valley of the shadow of death] darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
(copied from Bible Gateway, emphasis mine)

This beautiful verse that had been so very familiar all my life delivered a comfort that I had not realized before. On this morning when I felt so very empty, hopeless, weak and frail, GOD reminded me that HE is the one who does all the work. HE leads me, HE guides me, HE provides for me, HE brings me to the green fields and streams of water; and what does He ask me to do? ... lie down and be refreshed, comforted and provided for. OH WHAT AN AMAZING SHEPHERD WE HAVE!! So loving, kind and good ... SO GOOD!

♥ I really have an emotional attachment to this verse (can you tell? :) Just pondering it again brings the hope and faith that HE will carry us through whatever trial, big or small, that we may face this day. We just have to lie down and trust Him.

Well, finally, here is my card ...




I used this precious digi stamp from Sweet & Sassy Stamps. He (or she, as it were, with drawn-on eyelashes :) is so very sweet and fun to work with.

I pray that as you read of how God has comforted me (and STILL comforts me) with this precious verse, that you too, will be filled with hope, trust and JOY in what God is willing and able to do to comfort you! HE DOES IT ALL!

To HIM be ALL glory forever and ever!!! ♥