My Shepherd Walks This Valley Too

Twenty years ago the news came hard Three months after he said he still had years My father-in-law was gone too soon And chemo became the thing I feared That seed of dread took root that day Grew quiet in the dark of my mind I never thought I'd face the same road But March brought stage four and the line Surgery first, then the doctor said Six months of poison in the vein All the old fear came rushing back Until the Word cut through the pain Like the bronze serpent lifted high I look and live, I look and live Psalm 23, through the valley I walk This shadow only proves there's light Shadows need a light behind them They're temporary, they don't stay Two hours after the first infusion The fear had finally lost its way I read the words again and saw A shadow can't exist alone There has to be a greater light Casting it while I'm walking home What once was terror turned to trust The same God who healed in the wilderness Is walking with me through this fight And every drop is under His witness I will not fear the chemo's sting I will not fear the coming days The rod and staff still comfort me And every shadow fades away Lifted high, I fix my eyes On the One who already won Like the bronze serpent lifted high I look and live, I look and live Psalm 23, through the valley I walk This shadow only proves there's light Shadows need a light behind them They're temporary, they don't stay Two hours after the first infusion The fear is gone... and faith remains Temporary shadow There's light behind it all