A meditation on the physical body following surgery

This is my physical body, recovering

From the onslaught of the enemy

This body that You, O Lord my creator

Formed in my mother’s womb

You designed me, I was in Your thoughts

When You brought forth the trees and skies

Yet, from the first dark days of the fall

We have learned to be ill at ease

with our bodies

Have listened to the evil one

Who tells us to hate and misuse and abuse them

or to be overly proud and indulgent of them

These bodies that are meant to be

a reflection of Your glory

a temple of Your holiness

So I come to You in this time of recovery

As healing fills my physical body

With grateful thanks that you are restoring

the health that was taken away

That You are doing a good work within me

Your Holy Spirit,

as I sit before You

flows into my being,

Your wonderful, saving, forgiving

and healing presence

flows into my being,

Surrounds and encompasses me

I invite Your healing touch

for every part of me

From the hairs of my head to the soles of my feet

Every cell, muscle, tissue, fibre

Mind and body and soul together

You are the Great Physician, Father.

Lord Jesus, You have gone before,

and experienced every pain and fear

that we bear, and so much more.

Thank You that what was accomplished on the cross

was for our salvation

That we can know Your presence

and love You

Until the time

that these flawed bodies are exchanged

for heavenly ones

And we who falter and struggle in the shadows

We will see You face to face in Your glorious light.

Amen

This mediatation and the poem "A hand in the darkness" were written following cancer surgery in 2000. A diagnosis of cancer is always traumatic for a family. I am so grateful to God that His presence was with me throughout, lovingly demonstrated by my husband and children, extended family and friends, church family, schoolteachers and the medical staff at Royal Brisbane Hospital. I praise God for recovery and the gift of many more years with my loved ones.