I was as good a Christian as any, I thought. Raised in a morally upright home, I respected and obeyed my parents, studied hard to get good grades and was known in my family as “the good one.” In high school, I was active in 4-H, band, and Student Council.

Although my parents did not attend church themselves, they saw to it that we kids could attend a small-town Methodist church with neighbors. In my teen years, I served as president of the Methodist Youth Fellowship and played the organ during church services. Surely, I could be called a good Christian girl!

In 1968 during a tumultuous time in our nation, I left home to attend nursing school in a city 60 miles from the farm where I grew up. Because I was from a small rural community and had rarely been away from home—much less lived in a city—I felt very insecure. Many of my classmates talked of dating, boyfriends, partying, and making life choices I did not desire to participate in. I was a rule-follower and people pleaser, and now I was confused as to what the rules were and who to please. I felt lost, unsafe, and unsure about making choices and what choices to make. It seemed being good was no longer good enough.

Early in my freshman year, a vivacious classmate asked me to a Bible study in her dorm room. She invited me week after week, from early fall into spring. Always, I had an excuse: I was studying, I had a paper to finish, I was going out with girlfriends, I was going home for break. By midyear, I was irritated by her persistent invitations and would give any excuse.

In my thinking, even though she was a cheerful, friendly soul whom everyone liked, I didn’t need her Bible study. After all, I was a good Christian girl. I just chose to keep my faith to myself. Who was she to think she needed to teach me the Bible?

Near the end of the spring semester, she knew there were no upcoming assignments or tests.

I had run out of excuses. I also thought, well if I just give in and go, then she’ll quit hounding me. I decided to attend. “Bring your Bible,” my classmate said, “and we’ll listen to a cassette recording from my pastor and discuss what we learn.” I responded, “Okay, if you say so.”

The study that night was on a familiar passage, the 23rd Psalm. As we listened to the pastor, we read along in our Bibles. I had heard this Psalm many times in my church back home but never before had I heard a Psalm taken apart verse by verse and word by word. I learned that the Good Shepherd in this Bible passage was a picture of the ministries of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He would care for His sheep as their restorer, healer, leader, protector, guide, and Savior. I learned that He loved me, cared for me, and wanted to rescue me. I was amazed at how clear the message was and how much the Shepherd desired to tend His sheep. When the pastor concluded his lesson, he asked, “Can you say in your heart, and know for certain, the Lord is MY Shepherd?”

I realized I knew of this Shepherd, but I did not know Him personally. I could not say with complete certainty, “The Lord is MY Shepherd.” That night I prayed and asked the Lord Jesus into my heart. I sensed an immediate peace and overwhelming assurance that I now belonged to The Shepherd and was rescued from sin and confusion.

The Lord Jesus has been my Shepherd and Savior ever since. While I often fail Him, He has never failed me. Christ set me free, redeemed me, and paid my ransom. He rescued me from sin and death, delivered me to eternal security, and provided for me a life of daily fellowship with Him. He restores my soul, and I have the wonderful assurance that I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

PSALM 23 (NASB)

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul;

He guides me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Rose Reese is a retired registered nurse who dabbles in creative writing. She also enjoys gardening and studying the Bible with ladies at her church. She considers her highest calling to be a wife and a mother and today enjoys investing in the lives of her children and grandchildren. Rose lives in Fort Worth, Texas.