Green Pastures

And Jesus prayed this prayer: "O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding the truth from those who think themselves so wise, and for revealing it to little children. Yes, Father, for it pleased you to do it this way!

"Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father. Only the Father knows the Son, And the Father is known only by the Son and by those to whom the Son reveals him. Come to me and I will give you rest - all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke - for it fits perfectly - and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens." Matthew 11: 25-30 (TLB)

He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He gives me new strength. He helps me do what honors him the most. Psalm 23: 2-3 (TLB)

Karen Tarine lives in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. It was important to her to finish college, but writing her senior thesis tested her perseverance. When her professor told her that she didn't pass the class and would have to retake it, Karen felt like a failure. The thesis class was expensive. She couldn't pay for it twice and was going to have to ask her parents for help. Karen knew that this would be a financial strain - her mom was already taking in laundry to help her father pay the bills, and her sister was in college as well.

Karen felt ashamed that she had to ask for money. And she was anxious and restless about what the future would hold. But one afternoon she opened her Bible and read from Psalm 23: "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul." Karen envisioned herself resting in green pastures with God. Through this scripture and in this vision, God gave her peace and quieted her soul. Karen was assured that God is in control and knows what she is going through.

Karen did end up taking her thesis class again, thanks to the support of her family. With their help and God's help, she passed the class and graduated from college.

Prayer: dear God, thank you for the divine peace that surpasses understanding and for the support networks of friends and family that you bless us with, in Jesus' name. Amen.