If you'd like to close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
Allow a sense of quiet stillness to permeate your awareness.
If any distracting thoughts about your day come to mind,
Gently acknowledge them and then bring your mind back to this moment.
The Lord is my shepherd.
Imagine that you're resting in a lush meadow like the one of Psalm 23.
Notice the quiet pools of water and bubbling brooks as you smell the fresh meadow air and feel your toes in the grass as you listen to the sounds of nature.
Now notice Jesus approaching you.
Allow the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with his love.
And if you'd like,
Listen to what Jesus has to say to you as your shepherd and affirm his will in your life as you surrender to him.
Imagine yourself in the care of the all-sufficient creator of the universe,
Totally safe,
Every need taken care of.
I have all that I need.
Allow Jesus to reach out and hand you anything you need.
Let him fill your heart with abundance.
He lets me rest in green meadows.
Now allow yourself to lie down and rest in this meadow.
There's nothing to do,
No place to be.
Just be with Jesus.
Remember that he is leading you and providing for you.
He leads me beside peaceful streams.
You need to rest here in this meadow and take time to notice the sound of the peaceful streams of water.
Perhaps you'd like to reach your hand into the brook and take a sip of this living water.
He restores my soul.
Next,
Let yourself become aware of any brokenness in you that begs for healing today.
If you're ready,
Hand these broken pieces to Jesus for healing.
He guides me along right paths,
Bringing honor to his name.
Pause and ask Jesus to show you the path of his will for your life.
Listen closely for any direction he may have for you in this moment.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid.
Bring to mind now any problems or concerns in your life.
Acknowledge Jesus holding your hand as he walks with you.
For the weight of those problems from your yoke to his.
For you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
Feel his comfort and thank him for his protection.
He prepared a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
Forgive yourself as we are often our own worst enemy and invite Jesus to heal you for the harm that you have done to yourself.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
Feel his cleansing forgiveness wash over you.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Take a moment to allow your cup to fill with gratitude for the way Jesus provides,
Heals,
Forgives,
Restores.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life and I will live in the house of the Lord forevermore.
Pause here to consider how Jesus loves you with an unfailing love and never leaves or forsakes you.
Take one last moment to exchange any words with Jesus,
Maybe listening to what he has to say to you.
And when you're ready,
Begin to come back into the room.
Feeling your groundedness of your body,
Gently blinking the eyes open,
Taking a few more breaths as you transition from this time into the busyness of life,
Remembering that you are never alone and that Jesus,
Your shepherd,
Goes with you on this journey of life.
