About a week ago, I read Psalm 23 in my reluctant journey through the Psalms. (I don’t care much for the emotional poetry of the Psalms; I prefer the dry wit of Proverbs and philosophy of Ecclesiastes.) You’ve probably heard the twenty-third psalm, the famous Shepherd Psalm, at some point: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”

The past few weeks had been challenging. Work had worn me out. My car had issues. I suffered from depression and couldn’t get enough sleep. Life was busy, stressful and complicated. For weeks, I struggled to keep it together.

On that peaceful Sunday morning a week ago, I found Psalm 23 encouraging… in a mild, abstract sort of way. “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” It sounded pretty, sure, but it seemed too vague and poetic to be really comforting.

A few hours later, I found myself here:

Green pastures beside quiet waters, and also hot coffee. I didn’t expect that.

A kindly gentleman from my older brother’s church rented a cabin by a lake for me and my family. We spent an entire week boating, swimming, kayaking, stargazing, watching movies, playing video games, going for walks, drinking coffee, devouring roasted marshmallows and simply hanging out.

My parents live in Uruguay, so we hardly ever have the entire family in one place at the same time. To have my family together for an entire week was awesome, and our cabin by the lake was so darn nice. I felt like a very rich person… and a very blessed one.

Well, I’m back. My vacation is done. I’ve returned to my apartment, my job, my faulty car and all the challenges, trials and responsibilities of my life.

You know what? I’m okay with that.

The Lord is my shepherd, and I shall not be in want.