Blessed is the parole officer,
for I shall not be wanted.
Blessed is the field-work supervisor
who trains the green pastors,
and the AA sponsor
who leads past distilled waters.
Blessed is the therapist who restores my soul,
the guidance counselors and case workers
who direct along right paths.
all the folks at the hospice house
who guide through the valley
and the funeral director
who eases the shadow of death.
I will not be afraid, for You are with me,
through all of your shepherds.
Blessed also is the trail guide
whose staff and compass, energy bars
and ability to find the huts comfort me.
Blessed are the booths in the small diner
that cross ethnic boundaries
the barbers, beauticians and massage therapists
who anoint me with oil,
and the barista who knows my cup
and has a running-over smile.
Truly these too are no less a part of
divine goodness and mercy.
And surely a CNA will protect my dignity
all the days of my life
and some local church pastor is always
opening church doors to everyone saying,
“This is God’s house and yours – forevermore.”
Gifts in Open Hands 
I loved your rendition of the 23rd Psalm. I am curious (Canadian context) of what CNA stands for. Here in Canada it is Canadian Nurse Association.
I don’t know if you figured it out, but Certified Nursing Assistants. They do all the grunt work, lots of cleaning messes and are generally not paid their worth.
I don’t know if you figured it out, (the WordPress tech did not send me this question till now) but Certified Nursing Assistants. They do all the grunt work, lots of cleaning messes and are generally not paid their worth.
Certified Nursing Assistants in the US (or nurses’ aides) They do the bathing, emptying of bed pans, lifting of people. It is only a 10-15 class course, often. It’s the tough work but also very personal.
And blessed are the poets who lead us on old paths and show us their rightness for now.
Thank you so much.