I flew to Spain a couple weeks ago. I went with friends who were walking the Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrimage. Because I hurt my knee this summer, I was not going to walk. But I had lovely plans ... to explore Spanish cites, enjoy great food, drink, reading, resting. Which I did.

Until I didn't.

I caught some kind of wicked stomach bug and for the final week of my trip I was basically bed bound and miserable.

My lovely and amazing spiritual director urged me to write a blessing for when your body lets you down. She even added a few lines to this effort.

See below ...

A blessing for when your body lets you down …

Blessed are you, strong soul housed in fragile flesh.
Blessed are you when your plans crumble because your body refuses to play along,
citing a litany of complaints, tripping you up with its weakness;
all its feeble, inconvenient humanity.

When the dark days of infirmity rest heavy on your shoulders,
when legs feel hollow and shaky, when eyes glaze,
head feels wrapped in gauze, throat burns,
when sleep is elusive and affliction is all you see,
may you experience the most tender kind of grace.

When sadness fills your heart, alone, missing out,
when work is left incomplete and frustration comes,
when disappointment floods, seeing friends together,
when offering less to others is forced into your day,
may you experience the most tender kind of grace.

Grace for your humanity, your mortality,
grace for being an embodied soul,
grace for knowing vulnerability in your flesh,
grace for not holding it all together.

Oh God, be close to us when broken in body,
speak hope to our deepest parts,
renew a gracious spirit within us,
hover over us like a mother bird,
wrap strong arms around us like a father,
be tender toward us, your weary children.

Bless our bodies,
holy temples, earthly pots of clay,
strengthen them for the day,
heal them in the broken places,
restore a sense of shalom, of wholeness.
Make us well as only you can.