A Conversation with God

A Conversation with God

God: Did you know that I made everything? Everything that is, seen and unseen?

People: Great job, God!

One: Down to every last detail!

Two: Bravo God. Really, a magnificent job.

Three: You nailed the oceans. The way the waves roll in. Just gorgeous.

Four: And the mountains are spectacular, God. Well done.

People: Great job, God!

God: Did you know that I made you, too? Each one of you.

One: Oh yes. Another marvelous job, God!

Two: The human body is amazing.

Three: The way you made the brain work. Unbelievable!

Four: And the whole heart and lungs circulation thing. Fabulous!

One: Not to mention the reproductive system. Quite creative!

Two: Wonderful job with the whole body thing, God.

People: Great job, God!

Three: But about my hair, God. The color….

Four: Oh, and my freckles, God. What were you thinking?

One: Can we talk about swimsuits, God? And cellulite?

Two: I have a little problem with my nose.

Three: Oh, and I’ve always wanted bigger….

Four: And I want much much smaller…..

One: My height….

Two: My weight…

Three: My breasts…

Four: My hips…

People: What were you thinking? Great job, God….

As God Sees Us: Making Peace with our Bodies

This is the ambitious title for my Women's Retreat this upcoming weekend. I chose the topic last year, when I was in the middle of my breast reconstruction. The reconstruction that never ends, since I have yet another procedure scheduled for next week after I return. Topics always seem much more manageable when they are a year away, don't they? When you get into the less-than-a-week-away time frame they become huge monstrous ideas. Of the what-were-you-thinking category. But the program is printed, and I must come up with something to say and do.

I've been mulling it over for awhile now. I want them to do some work with certain ideas. How do our bodies let us down or disappoint us? Features we've never liked, age, disease, injury, how others see us. How did we get so caught up in our body image anyway? If I can make my old rusty computer do it, I might try to show some of the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty video. Then I want them to look at some texts and Biblical ideas, like the imago dei. What does that mean when we stand in front of a mirror? And David, who though he was "ruddy and handsome" didn't have the appearance of a king early on, but "God looks on the heart", even later in David's life when he and his body make some poor choices. I plan to quote some Anne Lamott, especially about her thighs and her hair. I have some other writing prompts for them. One session will be include a labyrinth walk (moving inward as we reflect on how God sees us, and looks on the heart, moving outward as we prepare to reenter the world with that knowledge). There will also be a self-guided walk outside, to find and bring back some other lilies-of-the-field (rocks, leaves, bark, whatever) that are beautiful, and entirely unique. We'll put those on the worship table, maybe, when we come forward for communion.

Hey, I have more ideas than I thought! As usual, I am starting to worry about content, feeling like I haven't studied enough and need something scholarly. I ALWAYS over-prepare for these things. And woe is me, I am an unhealthy wretch today and I live in a land of unhealthy beings. Who will rescue me from this body of mine? Not feeling tip-top. So I ask the greater goodness out there: Is there something huge I am over-looking? Is there a wonderful idea I simply must incorporate?

The Genius WonderBoy

He's 10, and he's got a big brain. For such a scrawny infant, he is a powerhouse. He can now solve the Rubik's Cube in 6 minutes, and he's working his way down. Mr. Incredible found an online tutorial on how to solve the infuriating little toy, and wrote down a long sequence of patterns. The Boy has memorized it, and can figure out how to solve the puzzle, whenever SuperGirl mixes it up for him. He wants to do it in the talent show at school this year. Can't you see it? This shy smart 5th grader, standing on the stage, in a spotlight, finishing the moves and holding it up sort of sheepishly, and the elementary crowd erupting in cheers? I can't imagine even wanting to figure that stuff out. My brain doesn't work that way, and I certainly would never spend my leisure time stressing myself out like that. SuperGirl and I would rather sit in a corner and read our books. But I am one proud mama, and I'll be on the front row when it's time for that talent show.