Staunton Star - Times - Published in the Interest of the Staunton Community for Over 143 Years

In the Shepherd’s psalm we return to the words again. “He restoreth my soul.” I recall a pastor friend telling me of a time when he felt the holy touch of God upon his life as he prayed these words. Thus, I am reminded of our great need to be made whole.

The Old Testament Prophet Jeremiah dedicated his life to this thought of being restored. In fact, he was a man who never seemed to ever have his halo on straight, yet found the mercy of the almighty a thing to be cherished. It became for him a cause worth living for and worth dying for, too.

Mostly, no one welcomed him because his prophecies were altogether true and altogether unwanted. Perhaps, if he hadn’t loved the people so much he wouldn’t have kept right on keeping on with his message. God loves you,” he told the people. “God loves you and he always will.” Therefore, when we pray, we wait in quiet candlelight between the movements of fire and flame reaching for the moment when we are restored and made whole. The Shepherd knows when we pray.

Rev. Richardson (ret.)