What if the Lord Were NOT My Shepherd?

I found this in Mom's papers...

The Lord is NOT my Shepherd - I have needs that can never be met.
There is no rest for me from the constant treadmill of life.
I am unable to find anything to quench my thirsty soul.
Daily I become more exhausted!
Because nothing I do affects Him, He's not interested in the choices
I make for my life.
I am terrified by the thought of death and imagine every sort
of disaster happening to me - for I am alone.
Thy rod and Thy staff make me feel as if I never do anything right
and am in constant need of correction.
Any nourishment I get I must seek for myself.
The Lord leaves my wounds unattended to heal on their own.
Trouble - unhappiness - unrest and struggle will be my constant lot,
And I will forever be alone.


Now for the TRUTH for all who put their trust in Him:

The Lord IS my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for His 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 overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

What amazing peace comes from knowing without a doubt that Mom knew the Lord as her Shepherd, and that she is now with Him in her eternal home. The God who created her and sustained her and comforted her in this life also created a heavenly home for her and has welcomed her there with open arms.

To think that she no longer has to deal with the emotional effects of growing up feeling unloved! She once told me that she always knew that God loved her - BUT she also said that she figured it was because He HAD to - because He loves everyone. She did not FEEL loved or lovely or worthy of love, and that is incredibly sad to me.
She lived with that lie (that God only loved her "by default") her entire life, and yet I have hope that some of her emotional pain was healed this summer. I know she's been entirely healed now - physically, emotionally and spiritually! She is now totally free and is the person God created her to be, and without sin.

Hallelujah!!!