Sickness of the Body

Theology of the body
Word and tradition agree
Praises our unique value
And human dignity.

Subconscious of man
Affirmed by mankind 
Turns beauty to disgust
Creates flaws we can’t unfind.

Physical and mental
A sickness slowly destroys
Removes us from the heart of life
That God created to be enjoyed. 

A body wearing down
More rapidly it seems 
Wearing down until it breaks
Its functions getting lean.

Some days steal my joy
Others take my energy 
Some days I lack faith 
A darkness I didn’t foresee. 

But the body the Lord gave me 
Even weak and feeble and crushed
Can do more than I am grateful for
Have I forgotten how to trust?

Even on the hardest days
I can get down on my knees
And thank the Lord above
Simply for creating me. 

For legs that have carried me
For the logic in my head
For a heart that cares for others
For the body He has fed.

Today I seek nourishment
Of my body and my soul
For the harder battles to come 
And for the current toll. 

Today I sing praise 
Of all He’s gifted me
For hiking and hugs, smiles and shrugs
For the body He made for me.