Surely^[d] goodness and mercy^[e] shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell^[f] in the house of the Lord
    forever.^[g]

Psalm 23:6

Some days I focus too much on the things that don’t go the way I would like. Some days I focus on my short comings, and allow them power to create insecurities and unrealistic expectations. Those days don’t hold much joy or peace. Similarly to the Israelites while in the wilderness, I don’t always set my mind to remember God’s goodness. God knew that we’d face disappointments, trouble and hardships in this life. But He also knew the way to combat them would be to remember His goodness. So tonight I remember God’s voice guiding me to Texas A&M, to the Corps of Cadets, to a bible study of a leader who heard God tell her to lead. Those steps were the catalyst to my faith and me becoming the woman I am today. I remember answering the call for a teaching and coaching position from an athletic director who remembered meeting me a year prior. With no contact over the entire year, God placed my name in his head to find my resume in a huge stack. I remember slamming on my breaks in traffic and seeing a huge truck behind me moving too fast with traffic on either side of us and a car in front of me. In an instant that truck had an opening in the next lane and I was safe. I remember hearing my breast mammogram looked questionable, and the radiologist ordering an MRI and later lumpectomy. The results came back benign.

David wrote in Psalm 23 of the assurance of God’s goodness and mercy following him all the days of his life. It’s easier to see God in those big moments, but God is present everyday! He is goodness, and extends mercy each day we don’t get the death and eternal separation we do deserve. In His goodness Christ died for us and through His grace we get the hope of eternal life and relationship with the God who created and loves us. In remembering that truth, we can worship Him. Worship by seeing those little blessings along the way that are easy to take for granted. I thank God for the hug from a student, encouraging words from a friend reminding how much value I have, and the snuggles from my dog after a long day. Tomorrow I know I will see more of Him each second He gives. When it’s hard to see Him, I must remember what He’s already done rather than let circumstances convince me He isn’t present and working. Thank you God that your goodness and mercy will follow me all of my days.