“Want? I’ve wanted a lot of things. Things I couldn’t have, and things I didn’t need. Seldom have I been in want of anything I truly need. Sometimes I’ve gotten what I needed but really didn’t want it.“
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters…”
“And just look at me now. Oh there is a lot I would love to have now. Green pastures? Still waters? Not much of those around where I grew up. Not that I would have noticed. I’ve been much too busy running from one thing to the next to get caught up in anything like, you know, ‘smelling the roses.’”
”He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake…”
“’Paths of righteousness.’ Now there’s an interesting thing to think about—an interesting conversation topic too. I think that in the minds of so many, there are so many different ideas of what the path to righteousness might be. There is talk of ‘many paths’ by many people who think there is no ONE way. And there is talk of the ONE way by so many who, upon closer examination, seem to be following many ways.”
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me…”
“You know, I’ve heard that ‘shadow of death’ thing before but haven’t really paid much attention. I’ve always considered myself to be an optimist and thought that dwelling on death was morbid and unhealthy. It’s enough to be worrying about living without muddying your mind with death.”
”Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over...”
“I’ve had some enemies. I can’t think of any I would want to sit down to dinner with.”
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
The Preacher’s final words echoed in sync with the closing thud of his eulogy book.
“I suppose that’s it. Everyone seems to be going home now. Wish I knew what’s in store for me.”
“It sure is cold.”
“…Maybe it will warm up soon.”
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