Psalm 23 for People with Parkinson’s Disease

The Lord is your shepherd –
He will guide and direct your steps, catching you should you stumble and fall.

You will not need anything that He cannot provide, for
He will give you what is required to be your best in this battle.

He will make you lie down in green pastures,
knowing that sometimes you’re tired and weary and don’t take the rest you do need.

He will restore your soul and give you the strength to endure, building you back up once again.

He will guide you in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake,
for He knows that the fight you are fighting often causes despair.
He allows this path with PD only to grow and perfect you, never to destroy you.

Even though you walk (because you can’t run) through the valley of the shadow of death –
– the valleys of grief over what was and what may be to come and what often is now –

You need not fear nor be afraid of the uncertain times,

For He is with you. He will not leave – He cannot because of who He is.

His rod and His staff, instruments of protection and safety,

They will bring comfort. They will bring a peace that will surpass all understanding.

He prepares a table before you, waiting for you to come and enjoy all He has

In the presence of your enemy – that thing we call ‘Little Monster’.

He anoints your head with oil; your cup will overflow –
even in the aches and pains, even when it doesn’t feel like it, He will be blessing you.

Surely goodness and love will follow you, all the days of your life – even if the future brings progression of the disease, you will experience goodness and love.

And… you will dwell in His house forever –
tremor free, pain free, stiffness free, with a clear mind and a new body.

I say that’s something to be thankful for…
We are not given promises that life will be a bowl of cherries, but we are given an irrepressible hope in a God that cares and will walk with us through this valley – if we will just believe and trust Him.