From Death Into Life

Today I, along with many in my corner of the world, will celebrate yet another wonderful, loving woman who has stepped from death into life. As I was talking last night with the LOML (aka my hubby) about her, I told him:

"The wonderful things that I could stand up & proclaim about Karen as we celebrate her life are the very same words I would have stood up & proclaimed years ago & throughout the years that I knew her. She was a remarkable woman."

Some time ago while listening to an audio interview with Anne Lamott & her close personal friend, Father Tom Weston, I was introduced to a new song when Father Tom shared this quote:

"Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears from death into life." ~ Marty Haugen

Hearing those words lit a fire in my heart & I had to find the song he was referencing. And... I had to pair it up with a picture of the shepherd I gazed upon as a young child - the nightlight with a Warner Sallman image of a young shepherd. I used it as a little girl, as did my daughter and as my granddaughter has...

While reflecting upon the passing of my friend, Karen, these past few days, I was reminded of the powerful meaning behind the words.

"Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears from death into life."

With loving, gentle care, my Savior shepherded another beloved child of His from death into LIFE. Today I celebrate her and I celebrate that all good things do NOT come to an end!


Lyrics to the song & a YouTube link:
Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants,
beyond my fears, from death into life.

1. God is my shepherd, so nothing I shall want,
I rest in the meadows of faithfulness and love,
I walk by the quiet waters of peace.

2. Gently you raise me and heal my weary soul,
you lead me by pathways of righteousness and truth,
my spirit shall sing the music of your Name.

3. Though I should wander the valley of death,
I fear no evil, for you are at my side,
your rod and your staff, my comfort and my hope.

4. You have set me a banquet of love in the face of hatred,
crowning me with love beyond my pow'r to hold.

5. Surely your kindness and mercy follow me all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of my God forevermore.