“He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”                               – Psalm 23:3-4

From 1983 to 1984, my dad served as Base Commander at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey. His duties included meeting dignitaries and celebrities who visited the base, often on their way to other places. A perk of being his son was having the opportunity to accompany him when he went to Base Operations to meet these visitors.

On one occasion, Dad informed me, a high school senior at the time, that a USO Tour would be arriving in the middle of the night.

“Who will be there?” I asked.

“Bob Hope, among others,” Dad replied.

“I’ve heard of him,” I said. “I know he’s a big deal. But I’m not sure I want to get up in the middle of the night. Who else is coming?”

Dad checked his notes and replied, “Cathy Lee Crosby, Ann Jillian…”

“That’s cool,” I interrupted, “But I think I’ll stay home.”

Dad looked up and finished with, “And Brooke Shields.”

“Brooke Shields!” I yelled. “What time are we leaving?”

For reasons having to do with teenage hormones, I wasn’t about to miss this opportunity. So, for the next several hours, I prepared for my first “date” with Miss Shields. I retrieved my very best jeans and blue, stylish “Members Only” jacket. My mom and I discussed probing questions I could ask Brooke about her role in Endless Love and how she gets her hair so shiny. My neighborhood buddies suggested I wear Calvin Klein jeans and try to get Brooke’s phone number. I was confident, prepared, and exceedingly cool.

My dad and I were in position when, late that night, Bob Hope and his entourage arrived at Base Operations. As Brooke approached me in the receiving line, we exchanged “hellos” and I handed her a USO hat. Instantly, I froze, blood rushed to my face, and I didn’t utter another word or get her phone number. I completely and totally choked! I had failed in the all-important transition from talking about someone to talking to someone.

In today’s passage, David makes a much smoother transition. He talks about how God refreshes his soul and guides his paths. But then, in the very next verse, he speaks to God. He tells God, “You are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The note in the margin reads: David goes from talking about God to talking to God—we must make the same transition.

God must be more to us than a distant, historical figure in an ancient history book. Our relationship with him must mean more than just the facts we know about him. God desires a real, personal relationship with me. Sadly, Miss Shields did not.

#FaithInTheMargins