When Do You Bless You? … Hello Hump Day Readers, it’s May already, goodness how did that happen? Time does get away from us though, and then sneaks up on again! I want this Hump Day devotion to be one that has you setting aside some ‘me-time’ for yourself.

In fact, when was the last time you gave yourself time to bless yourself? Sounds like a crazy question, but honestly it isn’t at all. Sometimes all the periphery of our lives invades us so deeply we get pooped out and we’re flat-out of energy. We need to be blessed—and yes, God blesses us every day, but in those periphery invasions how many blessings do we miss?

One of my favorite poets is Jan Richardson (she’s also a pastor, writer and artist). Jan wrote this as a reminder of how beautiful our bodies are, how powerful they work, and like anything else that can break down, they need constant care—a new “oil-change” if you will. So, take a look at yourself in the mirror today. What do you see—look deeply so you can take it all in. Breathe deeply in and out, how does that feel? Are you grateful that you can see, hear, smell and taste?

We should have wonder and awe in how our incredible bodies do all this because it is a gift from God for us! Perhaps not all the pieces in the framework of your body are working as good as they used to be, but yet, here you are, still upright, breathing in and out, and you have been given another day to praise the God who created you…so bless your body, be thankful for it

Below are some Scriptures to remind us how incredible our bodies truly are!

For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to You,
for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:13-14 

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
Jeremiah 1:5a 

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God
to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice
acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
Romans 12:1 

Or do you not know that your body is a
temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,
whom you have from God,
and that you are not your own?
1 Corinthians 6:19

Read this “Body Blessing” poem from Jan Richardson, below, and make it a habit to read it often, especially when you are in those ‘periphery invasions.’ Today, I hope her poem fills this mid-week time in your life and gives you the renewal that we all need every day—AMEN! 

BLESSING THE BODY (Re-printed with permission by Jan Richardson from Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons©.)

This blessing takes one look at you and all it can say is holy.
   Holy hands.
Holy face.
Holy feet.
Holy everything in between.
Holy even in pain.
Holy even when weary.
In brokenness, holy.
In shame, holy still.
Holy in delight.
Holy in distress.
Holy when being born.
Holy when we lay it down at the hour of our death.

So, friend, open your eyes—your holy eyes! For one moment see what this blessing sees, this blessing that knows how you have been formed and knit together in wonder and in love.
Welcome this blessing that folds its hands in prayer when it meets you. Receive this blessing that wants to kneel in reverence before you—you who are temple, sanctuary, home for God in this world.