Collecting Streams

This is a repost from a year ago when I was closing down my herbal skincare business. I was reading through it yesterday, and loved revisiting what I was processing then, and where I am NOW still sorting out WHAT it is I am to be focusing on. 

Collecting Streams

Terra Goods is Closing for Good

And this is GOOD NEWS! I am really thrilled to announce that by the end of the year, Terra Goods will be closing. Possibly sooner if I sell off all of my remaining stock! 

I have been feeling like I have been on the cusp of transition for a while now, but wasn’t seeing any external evidence or having a clear direction what to move towards, but there has been a lot of internal stirring.

Over the years various writers have stirred me, but few as much as the writing of Lilias Trotter. Just about all she writes slices through my hardness; she gives words to the deep stirrings and brings conviction with such gentleness. Here, she writes about, “Gathered up, focussed lives, intent on one aim—Christ”

“We see the principle shadowed in the trend of science; the telephone and the wireless in the realm of sound, the use of radium and the ultra violet rays in the realm of light. All these work by gathering into focus currents and waves that, dispersed, cannot serve us. In every branch of learning and workmanship the tendency of these days is to specialize--to take up one point and follow it to the uttermost.

And Satan knows well the power of concentration; if a soul is likely to get under the sway of the inspiration, "this one thing I do," he will turn all his energies to bring in side-interests that will shatter the gathering intensity.

And they lie all around, these interests. Never has it been so easy to live in half a dozen good harmless worlds at once--art, music, social science, games, motoring, the following of some profession, and so on, And between them we run the risk of drifting about, the "good" hiding the "best' even more effectually than it could be hidden by downright frivolity with its smothered heart-ache at its own emptiness.”

In the book The Restless Heart, Ronald Rolheiser explores how loneliness can cause us to be unable to channel our creative and affective energies in a meaningful way. He quotes Gregory of Nyssa, using the image of a current of a stream, how when a spring wells up and its current is divided into many channels, the flow becomes feeble and lacks any use, but if those currents can be collected into one, the force and the flow can be of great use! 

These words cut through me! I am a woman of many interests and passions and curiosities! I have felt that feeling of feeble sluggishness as a dispersed stream come into my life, where my life flow has been spread out and lacking current. While I am doing one thing, I am often tracking what needs to get done in another aspect of my life. 

I am on a journey of “collecting my streams,” and there is an incredible excitement in it! If this decision to close up shop came even a few months ago, it might have felt like defeat. But, letting go of something that has taken a lot of time and resources, so I can pour them into a current that is aligned with who I was designed to be, well that’s just thrilling! Admittedly, I don’t know exactly what that will look like in the end, and chances are, this adjustment will not lead to a destination. 

The more I live life spirit led, the more I realize that in the process of things is LIFE. In the turns and the adjustments and corrections as I am led, there are lessons, productive growth, and meaningful connections to be made, and, did I mention—JOY! As these adjustments get made, I gain clarity. I love plants, (if you don’t know this already!) but God has clearly said this is about His people, not about His plants. One of the difficulties of an online business is the lack of personal connection and community, two things that I highly value and gain great satisfaction from! So, I will be pursuing more opportunities to engage personally and in community! Most specifically: as I now have completed the needed study hours in herbalism, and am in pursuit of acquiring the remaining 200 clinical hours towards becoming an American Herbalist Guild registered herbalist, I will pursue working with more clients. Additionally, I will be taking more opportunities to connect people to creation and natural health through community engagement, group activities, workshops, and outdoor adventures!  

While I don’t know where all this will lead, if you would like to stay in touch and up to date, or you absolutely NEED some natural deodorant, please send your contact or inquiries to: K8Vaccaro@gmail.com

Dancing Isn’t a Democracy

Dancing Isn’t a Democracy

Who knew such a potent lesson could come from dancing bachata! God can speak to us in all sorts of ways if we are open and listening, even on the dance floor. I am fairly new to social dancing, and it was a very intimidating pursuit! I have always been a very physical person and enjoy moving my body, but the thought to have someone else in my space moving WITH me seemed like a recipe for disaster. I was baffled how two people could move in harmony and beautifully, unchoreographed! Especially during fast energetic dances like salsa or the hustle! How are they not stepping on each other or elbowing each other in the face!? I quickly learned the lead/follow dynamic is what enables the beauty to unfold. As a free spirited, independent woman, this aspect was not immediately comfortable, and I still struggle with it. Part of my difficulty is waiting on the leader’s cues, but also in letting go and being in the moment and not trying to anticipate. It has been fascinating to me how differently each leader leads and how the lead/follow dynamic really is like a conversation without words.

A few nights ago a young man asked me to dance, and it was immediately uncomfortable. We weren’t quite on the same beat, his cues weren’t very clear and were a bit delayed so I felt rushed and behind most of the dance. He seemed more interested in his own moves and looking good than being present in the dance, offering clear and timely cues, and moving in harmony with me. It was anxiety producing and it really wasn’t enjoyable. I was relieved when the song ended and I quickly moved to get off the dancefloor. But, a second young man invited me to dance. I accepted. What a world of difference, even though it was both bachata. There is such a comfort in a clear lead. He wasn’t being forceful or harsh, which can be just as uncomfortable and unpleasant! We moved well together, his indications were timely and clear, and there was an expression of joy and beauty! I was having a lot of FUN!

I often learn through experiences and physical pursuits, and I have taken MANY potent lessons from the dance floor. This particular evening was a clear reminder of my needs in relationships. I like clarity, clear communication, and moving in harmony, to the same beat. Interestingly, the man I first danced with, later danced with another woman, and they had a beautiful “conversation” on the dancefloor, synchronized and lovely. This is a reminder that some people just jive together better than others. It’s not a judgement on RIGHT or WRONG ways all the time, but preference or differing needs.

Dancing has also been a reminder of some spiritual truths that I keep circling back to. Partner dancing has RULES, a structured set of steps that all of the other moves build on. When I first started, I was a bit confused by what I was learning, because often I didn’t even see the basic steps watching an advanced couple dancing! All I could see was the freedom and beauty in their synchronized movement. Often I hear people say they don’t like to be restricted by the rules of partner dance. They want their freedom of expression. How often do we respond this way to God? We don’t want to follow His rules, which gives structure and form that ALLOW freedom and beauty. In resisting His Word, our following of Him starts looking more like a boxing match than a lovely dance filled with joy. The law is meant to give freedom, but we only see it as restricting. Just like traffic laws allow the free flow of cars efficiently and safely at high speeds. If you have ever been in a country without traffic laws, or laws that are not abided by, you have experienced the chaos! There can’t be quick travel because you never know for sure what the other drivers are going to do! Or, we want to dance to our own beat. Maybe we find the music of the Spirit too fast or too slow, so we set our own tempo. This is just as disastrous and painful to watch. When we are willing to listen to the melody and rhythm of the Spirit, stay within the structure of the Word, and follow the leading of the Father, we can be assured that He will unfold the most exquisite dance of joy and beauty.

Prepare Him Room

**I wrote this at the end of 2017 as part of a gift to my family and a few close friends.**

The relevance has not faded over the following months. How do I leave room for God

to work in my life? In my heart? Part, is having an open heart to let go (like of the

 job I had then)-- but also an open heart to receive. I love the unique Bleeding Heart 

flowers. As they mature, the bottom of the 'heart' splits open, making room

 for the ripening seed. We also can make space in our hearts and lives for the

 plans and provisions and purpose that God is ripening in our lives. 

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Therefore I will look to the Lord;

I will wait for the God of my salvation;

My God will hear me. Micah 7:7

Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart,

All you who HOPE in the Lord. Pslam 32:24

And the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

 “Jeremiah, what do you see?”

 And I said, “I see an almond branch.” Then the Lord said to me, 

“You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.” 

Jeremiah 1:11-12

“Joy to the world, the Lord has come!

 Let earth receive her King

 Let every heart prepare Him room”

This seems to have been the year for “preparing Him room.” I had pretty small understanding those familiar lyrics until recently when I was processing through what it means to HOPE in the Lord, and I feel as though it may be a lifetime more of unpacking all that it means in the outworkings of life. HOPE feels like creating space in my heart, a gap—at times a gaping hole that hurts and throbs to be filled. Creating space for God to move and work. Joy does not fit in a heart that if filled with hurt, disappointment, and pain. Could I give Him room to dredge the muddy waters of my heart and give way to the clear rivers of joy and satisfaction?

The coming of the King is JOY for those who have room to receive.

Space in my heart wasn’t just about getting out the nasty stuff, it also means WAITING on Him. It means not filling it with other things in the meanwhile, not squeezing out my desires of God’s best with the ‘good,’ not running out and trying to get God’s work done in my own intellect and planning, not moving forward because I am tired of waiting, because I like action, because waiting has become too painful so I have to DO something! This problem is not unique to me or even my generation, the Bible is filled with stories of those who could not wait, Abraham, Esau, King Saul. We also read about the wonders that God does when those who wait in obedience don’t jump the gun and try to get it done themselves. I love the words of David in 1 Samuel 22:3 “Please let my father and my mother stay with you, till I know what God will do for me.” He was on the run for his life, his world was in complete upheaval and he says, “till I know what God will do for me.”

What has this looked like? It means staying in a job that I have really had enough of. Letting go of certain friendships, investing more in some relationships and less in others. Closing down a business that took a lot of time and resources. Waiting in the area of dating, not to give up, but to leave room in my heart with anticipation—which can be painful! Some days, denying these desires would certainly feel easier, but not at the cost of settling for less than God’s best! God treasures this time with me, to be present with me in a unique way in my waiting. He fills the space with His sweet goodness, He preserves my heart from bitterness.

It means giving God the first say in where I go and how I spend my time. I have come to see a lot of people have their agenda for my time, even in GOOD things I need to be sure I am not crowding out God with busyness or exhausting myself. I too am watching for Him to perform His word so I am ready for action and not caught napping! It means letting certain hobbies that I have taken great enjoyment in become less and less, maybe for a season, maybe for good. It means taking risks of obedience to do things that feel out of my character, to be sensitive to the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit to reach out to a friend, or give a word of encouragement or a prayer for a stranger. These have been the places of greatest joy in the last year. When I have been the most hesitant or resistant to where I feel God is leading, and following Him anyway.

Preparing Him room has created a shift in my relationship with God. I want His presence more than I want what He can do for me. He is becoming my satisfaction in the time of waiting. He is the Bread of Life, the one who nourishes me, sustains me, holds me and comforts me. And He, more than anything else desires ME, to BE with me. So much so, that He sent His son. Emmanuel, “God with us” to forever destroy the barrier of sin and separation, to be present with me in my time of waiting, to be my hope as we watch together for Him to perform His word. 

“till I know what God will do for me.”

Still Waters Part 2: Life

This is where things are messy.

The idea for the blog title did not actually come from Psalm 23– though I was churning on those verses even then! It came while tinkering with essential oil distillation with a large glass still that I had received as a gift over a year ago. I had done lots of reading and researching on the steps and processes of distilling essential oils from plant material, but I had gotten antsy to just try it out! The creative process that I love is often a lot of trial and error, a lot of failure, and usually involves making a huge mess! This was no exception. Hours of prepping and brainstorming, purchasing additional tools— like an aquarium pump to recirculate the cold water through the condensing chamber, the proper tubing, and (with safety in mind) some heat resistant gloves!  All that time spent reading and prepping was useful, but the messy process can be a potent teacher, I was ready to dive in! It took all afternoon.

It was only a partial success. I had some new problems to solve. The goal was to get some pine essential oil. Instead of essential oil, all of my investment produced a small amount of pine hydrosol with just a sheen of oil floating on top. Not even enough to collect.

A quick explanation of the process: Essential oils are the plant oils contained in the structure of the plant. Essential oils are oils they are considered “volatile oils” and differ from “fixed oils”—which are what we typically think of as oils, such as olive oil and coconut oil. Volatile oils are not as greasy and evaporate quickly. They also are strongly aromatic of the plant in which they were extracted from. Plants like olives and sesame contain “fixed oils”- these are the greasy type oils that are usually extracted through cold pressed methods, though solvents can also be used, but not preferred. Essential oils are most often produced through steam distillation.

Here is a basic diagram of a distilling setup similar to mine. The steam goes through the plant material evaporating the plant waters, also called the hydrosol, and volatile oil or essential oil. The steam then goes into the cooling condensing chamber bringing it back into a liquid state, and collecting the two in the separator where the oil will (often) float on the top of the hydrosol.

The process for me involved going out and harvested a bag full of pine needles, and carefully cutting them into small pieces to increase the surface area, getting a big bag of ice to keep the water circulating through the condensing chamber cold, buying a gallon of distilled water to boil (this would prevent any mineral scale from building up on the glass, and provide a better extraction of the plant material), clearing the kitchen counter and putting together the apparatus. The challenge was to get everything in proper proximity (while not falling over!), and be sure the bottom chamber had a flush contact with the burner to allow enough heat transfer to keep a rolling boil. By the time I was done, there were little bits of pine needle everywhere!

So that November day, I went through all this effort of distilling, and no essential oil! All I got was a little hydrosol. While I was starting to wrap up the process and begin the cleanup, I had the realization that the water in the collection chamber was “still water”; water produced through distillation. The laborious hours produced this small vial of aromatic water. It was much like how I approach life and being in the process. Sometimes I go through all of these experiences and processes and laborious effort of sorting through, and I look at the fruit produced, and I am admittedly disappointed! All of that effort— for this?? Is it even useful??

Often I find it is not about what is left in the ‘collection chamber’ of life, but what I learned along the way. Sometimes I come through an experience with something of substance gained, and other times, I only have more questions or problems to solve, or resolve to approach a situation differently.

Part of the vulnerability of writing is that it is ‘out there’. What if I’m wrong? What if I change my mind? Well, the truth is: I’m human, and I’m in the process, and I am simply inviting you along on the journey. Some days I might have something valuable to say, other days might just be more questions and problems to ponder, and still others I might totally change my position or perspective on past topics! You are welcome to come, to witness and engage in the process! It is often a lot of trial and error, a lot of failure, and I usually make a huge mess!

Burning the Maps

Burning the Maps

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and we went out, not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8 NAS

Have you ever gone out somewhere not knowing where you were going? How far did you go? Was it a foreign country? Did you leave your friends and family and all that was familiar behind? How long did you stay? This verse amazes me. He went on a promise of his inheritance.

I’m the kind of person who likes to know where I am going. I am what I call “directionally illiterate”—I have little internal sense of direction. I am HEAVILY reliant on my GPS and maps to know where I am and where I am going. I still don’t intuitively know my right from my left; I have to take a moment to think and figure it out. If you spin me around a few times, I have no idea where I am. I eventually will remember my way around familiar areas, but it takes me longer than most. My brain just doesn’t map well. As an outside sales rep I would drive all over the New Jersey and New York. I purchased an atlas to keep in my car in case the GPS spazzed out so I could still find my way home.

Late April 2017 I had a troubling dream. In the dream I was giving birth to a baby, the baby’s head and one arm came out, but then the process stopped. I got up and started to go about normal life again—with a half born baby awkwardly dangling between my legs!! I woke up really troubled by the dream. Metaphorically, the dream was accurate. In many aspects of my life I felt like I was STUCK in the middle of transition. There was a sense of urgency to the dream. A half born baby could not survive. I took a week off of work to stop going “about normal life” and really seek to hear God and what He wanted to say and where He wanted to transition me to. I found a spot to camp as a place to get alone and away from distractions. I cleared out my car of all my work literature, packed it full of my camping gear, picked up some firewood and headed out. I arrived with enough time to cook dinner and head to bed. The next day I was planning on making a fire, but I realized I hadn’t brought any paper or kindling! I was wracking my brain to figure what I could use. I laughed to myself, “I could use my atlas as kindling!” My mind went to an evocative line in a poem by Nizar Qabbani:

The day I met you I tore up

All my maps

And my prophecies

Like an Arab stallion I smelled the rain

of you

Before it wet me

Heard the pulse of your voice

Before you spoke

Undid your hair with my hands

Before you had braided it

I laughed at myself for the dramatic wanderings of my mind. But that line, the day I met you I tore up all my maps, kept tumbling through my mind. The imagery, meeting someone and not caring where I was going anymore as long as I was with them. How fearful I was of being lost, and not being able to find my way home. Geographically. Spiritually. Relationally. Here I had stopped my life to get away and seek God about direction in my life, and I have this thought to burn my atlas, my plan B on how to get home. Ooh, He was digging deep here!

Even on a physical level I didn’t want to burn my maps! I liked having my backup plan, my own little security. To burn my maps was asking me to be all in. To say to God, it doesn’t matter where I go, as long as you are with me! To let Him lead me, and when I didn’t feel His leading, to stay still and wait on Him. To not jump the gun and run out on my own strength and ideas and agenda apart from Him.

I wanted to dismiss all this and just move past it. I had brought my old ipad to be able to type up some notes over the next few days. My ipad is the original edition, and is obsolete apart from being an oversized ipod to play music on and typing up notes. But it seemed like a good alternative to bringing my laptop camping. I hadn’t used the ipad in years. I opened up the notes app to type up some thoughts, and there is the Nizar Qabbani poem I had cut and pasted it into my notes some years earlier to save it. The day I met you I tore up all my maps. It was too much to be a coincidence. I knew God was speaking, and too clearly to ignore.

He can be so gentle, yet so sharp. He loves us way too much to let us stay stagnant. I laid down every back up plan, every plan B, every way I was working in my own strength apart from Him and His purposes for me. I symbolically started my fire with my atlas pages. I started with my least favorite states, the ones I wasn’t planning to travel to. I still had quite a bit of the atlas left and I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to burn ALL of it.  “God, do I need to burn all of them?” Yes, I needed to burn them all. How often do I want to give God the things on the peripheral, as an offering of “sacrifice”, while holding back all that is closest to my heart. I burned every last page, cover to cover. Maybe life would look much different than I had hoped or dreamed. Did I trust Him?

I felt a little naked the next few weeks driving around. I was very conscious about not having the crutch in the back of the car “just in case.” But, that was over a year ago now, and I rarely think about those maps anymore.

Until I was driving through Nebraska a few weeks ago.

I was on a solo road trip home from Wyoming, and I had booked an Airbnb near what I thought was the suburbs of Omaha. It wasn’t. It was miles and miles of corn fields, and the GPS no longer knew where I was. My little blue dot hadn’t moved since I got off the highway. Even worse, most of the roads had no names or signs! The road made a curve that didn’t seem to be along the way I should be going. I turned around and made the turn I thought I missed. More rolling fields of corn, and not a home in sight. I kept driving, and the blue dot never caught up with me. Finally! A marked road! I was on the right path. I counted the roads until the next turn I should make. Still not a home within view. I am still baffled how I got to my stay that evening. It feels a bit like a miracle.

I’ve been thinking about that evening a lot. Partially because when I finally arrived, things felt a bit “off”—I didn’t really feel safe, but there weren’t any blaring red flags to leave (more on this later), but also because it has connected me back to the burning of my maps. How I felt the loss of those maps in a time I was lost. I wanted something tangible to hold on to. Though, I don’t know if they would have helped me! It felt like a lesson in living a Spirit led life.

Lately, God feels very quiet. Like I’m a bit lost, and just fumbling forward on what’s next. It feels like I have little indication if I’m on the right path, and the metaphorical blue dot stopped moving a ways back on my “map.” The Spirit’s nudgings have gotten more and more subtle, they seem so easy to miss or dismiss. He’s asking me to grow, to engage. For my spirit to partner with His. To start listening MORE to those inner nudges that often have no external reasons or indicators. There are a dozen things I could make happen with my connections and abilities, but none of them FEEL right.

The waiting carves a deeper capacity to be filled. All sorts of anxieties and weakness and loneliness comes up in the stillness of waiting. And trust me, I have wondered—am I being led somewhere I even want to be?? Here is where I need to trust that God is a GOOD Father, and gives His beloved GOOD things. It feels as if by faith I am being called to venture off my map in obedience to a place God is calling me to. Not knowing where I am going.

Self Heal • Talking the First Steps Towards Wellness

Self Heal

Prunella Vulgaris

My first use of Self Heal was as a flower essence. Flower essences are different than other plant medicines, as they are solar infusions, not extracts, and they work more on the emotional level than physical. (which will have to be discussed in another post!)

I met Self Heal right in the beginning of my journey in learning about medicinal plants. I was so intrigued by this little plant that graced lawns with its subtle beauty. When I took the time to really examine each little flower— how they each emerged from their tiny cavity, and the little folds and hairs that gave the flower spike structure— I was enthralled. How have I never seen this plant before?? I was suddenly seeing it everywhere!

God gives us good medicine in His timing; He leads us on the journey of healing if we are willing.

As a flower essence, Self Heal is often used at the start of a journey towards healing. It is used when the individual lacks desire to make the necessary steps towards health, or when they rely on external voices and sources too much. While relying on external sources can be wisdom, it can also lead to a lot of confusion, and even cause more problems if we are not discerning about the source. So much of health and wellness information is rooted in marketing, bias, or just someone else’s personal journey. Just because one person (or even hundreds of people!) had a healing journey look a certain way, does not mean that it will look the same for you.

When we come to God for healing, He will lead us on a journey of holistic healing. He is the only one who can truly multitask!

The journey He has led me on has often been difficult and led to delving into areas I have not wanted to work on, but He has been faithfully there alongside; equipping, strengthening, and healing along the way, many times through unlikely sources and circumstances!

A few years back I was in a women’s group focused on emotional healing. We each had identified some lie that was hindering our growth or healing. Mine was: “my boundaries don’t matter.” We asked the Holy Spirit: “what is the truth You want to reveal in this area?” We sat in silence, and just listened. Almost immediately I heard, “Jesus is a gentleman.” This truth has transformed so much of the way I see healing. He challenges me, He calls me, He pursues me, but He is always a gentleman. He waits for me to step towards Him, to take the first step in the journey. He is right there, but He never forces His agenda on me.

We have to come to a place where we are willing to embark on the journey, to be patient in His process and timing, and take the first step!

Still Waters Part 1: Faith

Still Waters  Faith • Life • Wellness

Part 1: Faith

Psalm 23 has been haunting me in the most comforting way. It has been a reoccurring theme for months now and it seems to return to me again and again. Just yesterday it was read at a memorial I attended!

“He leads me by still waters”

Still waters evokes images of calm scenery, external peace and rest. But for me, it also speaks to an inner calm and peace, even when an external storm may be raging and I can’t physically gain the rest I desperately need. This is what I really seek. I can’t manufacture external circumstances or the weather of life, but I can choose what I build my life on. Will it be the shaky grounds of performance and acceptance? The thoughts and approval of others? Or will it be something more stable?

These words are in the context of: “The Lord is my shepherd.” The analogy is we are like sheep. Interesting fact about sheep is that they won’t drink from turbulent waters. They are skittish and afraid, and for good reason! They are terrible swimmers, and their wool soaks up water that weighs them down and they quickly drown! The Shepherd won’t force us to drink, but He brings us to a place that we CAN drink.

John 4:14 “Jesus said, “whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” John 4:14

He will place these still waters within us! So that we can be a well, a source for others! That no matter what external chaos may rage around us, we can have His peace.

Years ago, during a very turbulent time in my life, my Aunt spoke a word over me. It was an image of a lotus flower bobbing along, floating on rough waters. She saw the roots going down, down, down through the murky waters and anchoring into the solid ground. Though life was difficult, changing and uncertain, God had rooted me in Him. He would cause me to float above the stormy waters of life. I have held on to this image through MANY hard seasons of life. My faith has been my still point, a place I continue to journey to cultivate and, admittedly, struggle to stay in.

One of the many things I love about scripture is that the characters are human and flawed, but God still uses them! Moses argued with God when he is called to lead the Israelites out of captivity and said: who am I? Why should they listen to me? I don’t even know Your name! I’m not a good public speaker, I stutter! (Exodus 3-4) When the Lord commissions Joshua He repeatedly tells him BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. (Joshua 1) Why? Likely because he wasn’t FEELING strong or courageous.

Yet we don’t see ourselves as capable enough to do anything in our own strength, for our true competence flows from God’s empowering presence. He alone makes us adequate ministers who are focused on an entirely new covenant. Our ministry is not based on the letter of the law but through the power of the Spirit. The letter of the law kills, but the Spirit pours out life (2 Corinthians 3:5-6 TPT)

Wow, our competence flows from God’s empowering presence. This is the foundation I want to deeply sink my roots in! To receive the Spirit that pours out life, to be a well of living water.

PSALM 23

The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

Yea, 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 runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever.