EPIPHANY:VISIO
  • Attend an Event
  • Spiritual Direction

connect with Jesus through art

and learn a new way of seeing yourself and your life that helps you
​slow down, recenter, and find the goodness of God.
Learn More

Recovery  |  Thoughts on Getting Well

11/7/2015

6 Comments

 
After a 3-day delay in Austin, Texas earlier this week due to 15" of rain in 7-hours, and some fried flight tower electronics, I (Christine) got home to get sick. All the stress, frustration, tension, and processing I did to hold it together spent me. My body quite literally gave up and said, "No more."
Picture
I hate landing on my back like that. It makes me feel weak and helpless, because it makes me weak and helpless. And I love my strength -- it's a great gift, and also a great defense mechanism to avoid tending to my own needs. I believe, in the moment, I have no needs. Which is utterly false, but I need to believe it when I'm in that mental state. Occasionally Jesus lets me get away with it, for a little while. This time my body tapped out, and I surrendered. It was painful. 

And then as I started to feel better bit by bit I found the temptation to jump back in (I can be really stubborn), but this thought stopped me in my tracks: I may be healed, but there is the after affect of recovery. The siege on my nasal cavity has ended, but now is the phase after the party once all the guests are gone: the clean up. I'm still not operating at 100%, my body still needs rest.

I'm now being invited to recover, now that the healing is done. I'm being invited into a physical therapy of sorts -- both in my body, and in my soul. And it's odd to me, but so true, how my body leads me to see what Jesus may be inviting me to internally: recovery. 

It's an oddly beautiful little miracle: Jesus used my weakness to show me his kindness. He's not the one demanding me to get back on the path. He's the one inviting me to linger a little while longer in stillness and rest. 

Invitation to Reflect

Take a moment and settle into your seat. Breathe deeply. 
  • What do you notice about your breath?
  • How is your body?
  • Where does noticing these things lead you?
I'd love to hear from you. Share your own thoughts or experiences in the comments. 
6 Comments
    Free Art & Prayer Cards
    Buy Art & Prayer Cards
    Contact Us: Phone / Email
    Learn More About E:V

    Categories

    All
    Art & Prayer
    Contemplative Photography
    Creativity
    Desire
    Events
    Imaginative Prayer
    Lament
    Longing
    Loss
    News
    Prayer
    Reflections
    Resources
    Retreat
    Spiritual Disciplines
    Spiritual Practices
    Visio Divina
    Workshop

    Archives

    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Attend an Event
  • Spiritual Direction