Today's daily devotion

A Child’s Bedside Manner

“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, ‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”—MATTHEW 21:16 (NIV)

“What do you do when you feel afraid?” I’d sometimes ask my mother. “I say Psalm 23,” she’d answer. Then she’d recite it. Word-perfect.

After hospitalization for pneumonia, Mom’s weakened and confused state required time in a rehabilitation facility. Her fears heightened. New place. New people. New routines. This was the perfect chance to find much-needed comfort in her favorite psalm, but she did not have the wherewithal to call it to mind.

One day her grandson and his family stopped in to visit. Ellie, age seven, felt sad seeing her Nana Great flat on her back and not making sense. Her dad suggested, “Ellie, why don’t you pick a verse that you’ve memorized and recite it. Nana Great will hear your words. It may help her.”

Ellie took her great grandmother’s hand and began slowly, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…” Surprise and joy spread across Ellie’s face as Nana Great began mouthing the words right along with her. “He restores my soul…surely goodness and mercy will follow me.”

As the two finished the psalm, Mom relaxed. Ellie did too. The familiar. The simple. An anchor helping different generations hold onto their faith through the fear and insecurity of change.