"An Artist's Walk with God"

by Cheryl Wilson

As I am migrating my way through my health journey, I have learned so many things about my body; things that work and things that are challenging for me.  I also know that I have choices in my journey and I need to embrace these choices.  I am in control of these choices and what I put into my body.

I think how I believe I was made by my Lord and not only do I want to be healthy, but God put such care into my creation that how could I not want to take care of my body?  I included the entire chapter below as I felt every single verse was worthy of reading here. 

I have had this chapter as one of my favorites for years as I migrated through my teen age years, into my newly married years, into my years where I miscarriages many times into my challenging health years and now as I am going into my retirement years.  God had a plan when I was born, when I was a blooming young girl and I need to remember, He still his this perfect plan as I age.

Recently I was at the beach, a place I so much love.  I collected some beautiful shells each morning as I walked along the water.  I actually loved the ones with the flaws as they reminded me that even with my flaws, I am beautiful.  Each shell has such a quiet story to tell about its path to the shore to me.  As I picked up each one, I thought about the story that shell could teach me.  Some were still perfect and unflawed.  But more had some wear on them reminded me that flaws are a rite of passage as we migrate from our youth into our aged years.

God says in Psalms 139 that He is familiar with ALL MY ways.  He knows even the deepest hurts I hold within my soul that I speak to no one.  He knows of the wounds I cannot completely heal. He knows of the fears I have even when I try hard to keep those fears under control.  He is there to help me control those midnight panic attacks that creep up on me out of nowhere.  If know if I did not have Him to look to, many of my fears could overtake me.  He promises in this chapter that there is NO WHERE I could go that He is NOT THERE WITH ME.  HOW powerful is that?!

I still have moments where I tip into anger too easily or I lose faith when I step on the scales to find I gained a pound instead of losing one. These things could tip me into self-doubt or a spiral of self-hate.  But is that what God wants for us?  As I look at my collection of shells in my pretty cup I placed them in, I again remind myself, I am flawed, but I am not damaged.  My flawed body is ok as God still holds the reins!!!

Psalm 139  “139 O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. ² You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. ³ You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. ⁴ You know what I am going to say before I even say it. ⁵ You both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head.

⁶ This is too glorious, too wonderful to believe! ⁷ I can never be lost to your Spirit! I can never get away from my God! ⁸ If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there. ⁹ If I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, ¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me, your strength will support me. ¹¹ If I try to hide in the darkness, the night becomes light around me. ¹² For even darkness cannot hide from God; to you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are both alike to you.

¹³ You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it. ¹⁵ You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! ¹⁶ You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!

^17-18 How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can’t even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me. And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!

¹⁹ Surely you will slay the wicked, Lord! Away, bloodthirsty men! Begone! ²⁰ They blaspheme your name and stand in arrogance against you—how silly can they be? ²¹ O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I be grieved with them? ²² Yes, I hate them, for your enemies are my enemies too.

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. ²⁴ Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

I hope God’s words can give you some peace today, some comfort.  Read them several times.  Trust that they are there for you.  Know you are NOT alone during ANY hurt, God promises “when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!”  Trust His words.