Psalm 23:5 NLT You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 

[10/27/2025; Sony A6400 // iPhone 14 ProMax] 

My trip to the Grand Tetons is one I will never forget. Looking back on it, it’s easy to remember the mountain views and a chance to slow down, but before my girlfriend and I could reach the trails, we had to make our way down to a town called Jackson Hole in Wyoming. Our first day sets us at Jackson Hole Airport. We landed at what might honestly be the nicest airport I’ve ever been to, small, warm, and built like a mountain lodge. It set the tone immediately for the rest of the trip. In Jackson, we stopped for lunch at a local spot called Healthy Being Cafe and Juicery (we ended up eating here every single day because it was so flippin fire bruh.) We walked around town and grabbed a photo under the famous Antler Arch. From there, we drove across the border into Idaho to our Airbnb, a tiny home in Driggs with a view that stretched into the mountains. That night, we sat around a campfire, sparks drifting into the dark sky, ate steak and veggies while taking in the stillness. We knew the next day would be a big one back in Wyoming. 

The dawn of the second day, we made our first stop into Jackson and had breakfast at a bakery called Persephone Bakery. This morning was very cold, but it felt surprisingly nice as I felt the cold air drift into my lungs. We made our way to the Tetons and parked to go for our first hike. At the trailhead, we kept seeing signs that said, “Closed for the season,” but we pressed on anyway and chose the Jenny Lake Loop Trail. AllTrails listed it as a simple four-mile stroll. Easy enough. It wasn’t long before the scenery took over. The towering trees, snow-tipped peaks, still lakes, and air so clean it almost felt unreal. Every step felt like a reminder of God’s creative hand. It was great spending time with my lover as we took in all the scenery together. I will say, even after looking at all the views from nature, no view was greater than the one walking alongside me, nothing ever comes close. Once we hit the 4-mile mark, we realized the loop wasn’t even close to being finished. We decided to press on and seven miles later, tired but laughing, we finally made it back. It was one of the longest “easy” hikes I’ve ever done, but also one of the best. First stop after the hike was back in Jackson, at our spot, Healthy Being to refuel. 

After exploring a few shops in Jackson to pick up some souvenirs, including huckleberry chapstick, fridge  magnets, and post cards, we headed back to Idaho to rest. The next morning would be the most meaningful moment of the trip, something we had planned leading up to our arrival. 

Our alarm clocks went off, and we slowly started getting ready to take on the day, but we made sure to set aside time early in the morning for something sacred we had planned for this trip. An “Anointing Ritual.”  Biblically, it’s when you take oil, and smear it on someone for a very specific purpose. The oil is a liquid symbol, it’s the water of life and God’s spirit combined together, used to mark a person or a place as a bridge between heaven and earth. During the wilderness exile, Jacob had a dream where he see’s a stairway to heaven and when he wakes up, he anoints the stone at Bethel after encountering God, where he slept and called the place “House of God”. God also gives Moses the recipe for holy anointing oil on Mount Sinai. Anointing is woven all throughout Scripture. I brought my own anointing oil made from En-Gedi, Israel. The oil is made of frankincense and myrrh from the same En-gedi where David once hid, a place of refreshing in the desert, later referenced poetically in Song of Songs as a symbol of deep love and sacred refuge. With worship music lightly in the background, I lead the anointing prayer by placing oil on my girlfriend’s forehead and began to pray for her, declaring blessing, protection, and God’s goodness over her life. Once it was her turn, she placed the oil on her finger and began to smear it on my forehead, and began to pray for me. The Holy Spirit filled that tiny Idaho house in a way I will never forget. After the prayer we stood there just a moment of stillness between us and God. In that stillness, I remembered Psalm 23:5 pop into my mind, “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Right there in that quiet space, the verse came alive. God was filling us, refreshing us, reminding us that every good thing in our relationship, every answered prayer, and every next step comes from Him.  

We went to church afterward, grabbed breakfast, and headed back into the Tetons for another day in creation. Snow began falling as we drove back into Wyoming. It felt like a scene from a movie. Quiet, peaceful, almost holy. We encountered a moose on our drive to the park and wandered through Taggart Lake Trail, now transformed into a winter wonderland, and ended the night back at the Airbnb watching The Case for Christ, the true story of a skeptic turned believer. 

Closing

Our final hours in Jackson included, a slow walk through town, and conversations about faith, prayer, and what God is shaping in us. By the time we boarded the plane home, I felt renewed. God used those days to remind me that His presence isn’t limited to one place or one moment. It’s found in prayer, every mountain sunrise, in anointing, in snow-covered trails, in church, in laughter at TSA, and in the person I love doing life with. 

There is so much power in prayer and declaring goodness over someone’s life by the blood and mighty name of Jesus. 

Numbers 6:24–26 NLT
May the Lord bless you and protect you. 
May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. 
May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.

This Priestly Blessing AKA the Aaronic blessing, is a biblical example of speaking God’s truth and favor over someone.  

Proverbs 18:21 NIV 
The tongue has the power of life and death…

When we declare blessing over someone in Jesus’ name, we are speaking life and aligning our words with God’s promises.  

Maybe you’ve been running on empty or unsure of the next step. Here’s your reminder: God wants to anoint you too. His presence restores, refreshes, and fills you until your cup overflows. He is the One who prepares, guides, and strengthens you. 

Jesus is KING. 

As you reflect this week, ask yourself: 

Where is God inviting you to slow down so He can refresh your soul? 

What would it look like to speak life and blessing over someone close to you this week? 

Have you been to the Grand Tetons in WY? 

Please share in the comments! 

💎