Neighbor

Good Morning!

Psalm 23 (English Standard Version)
The LORD Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.[a]
3He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness[b]
for his name’s sake.
4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[c]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6Surely[d] goodness and mercy[e] shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell[f] in the house of the LORD
forever.[g]
Footnotes:
a. Psalm 23:2 Hebrew beside waters of rest
b. Psalm 23:3 Or in right paths
c. Psalm 23:4 Or the valley of deep darkness
d. Psalm 23:6 Or Only
e. Psalm 23:6 Or steadfast love
f. Psalm 23:6 Or shall return to dwell
g. Psalm 23:6 Hebrew for length of days


Valera Stahlnecker was Miss N and my neighbor for over twenty five years. She lived in the house that I now refer to as “Miss Norma’s” because we bought it a couple of years ago.

Valera was a dear soul who had had a tough life. She worked at Sears when it was still down on Ponce de Leon in Atlanta. She didn’t drive. She had to rely on coworkers to get her to and from work each day … but she rarely missed a day.

Norma and Valera had a special bond … almost mother / daughter if you ask me. Norma spent many hours next door listening to the same story over and over … and enjoying Valera’s company.

Valera grew old and sick … and eventually she passed away. The family asked me to conduct the funeral services for Valera. It was a special honor I shall never forget. At the graveside, we read the 23rd Psalm and remembered a dear saint, a good friend, a great neighbor.

The first verse says a lot: The Lord is my Shepherd … I shall not want.

God bless you this weekend …

Agape’


Mr. Jim