Each week, a rostered minister from the Office of the Bishop will share a Lenten Devotion about how they connect to God through self-care practices. This week we hear from Pastor Colleen Montgomery.
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I’ve been in physical therapy five times over the past three years for various injuries. The discipline of finding the time to go the appointments, stick with exercises or treatments that push me past my comfort zone, and doing the homework in between appointments always feels spiritual to me.
While the bible does tell stories about miracles, the bible also tells us stories about long journeys that happen one step at a time. The bible tells us about faith and healing that grow like gardens, a little bit each day, or even overnight when only God is watching.
The discipline of self-care through these injuries is similar to the discipline of nurturing faith. Just like I have to do the exercises for my body to heal, so I need to show up for communion for my heart to heal. I need to listen to the words of my therapists, and I need to listen to the words of Jesus. I have to take time to rest and listen to my body’s limits, and I need to rest and listen to God’s grace. While healing sometimes happens over night and while God does show up in unexpected places, the discipline increases the chances of healing well and growing in faith through challenges.
I’m grateful my injuries have healed to the point of me being able to do my favorite activities with very few remaining restrictions. I’ve climbed a mountain for the first time in over a year! I finished a craft project that I’ve been working on for three years! I’m lifting heavier at the gym than I have in a long time! In all of these, I give thanks to God for my body, my medical team, my community, and the adventures ahead.
