“For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.”
Psalm 139: 13-14
This past year, I received the gift of COVID-19 for Christmas.
On New Year’s Day, as I sat in my easy chair looking out the window at the hillside above our house, I began to think about this past year. I started to ponder the blessings, challenges, joys, and losses.
As I looked at the hillside, I noticed the trees and birds flying and smiled. I began to marvel at God’s creative genius and consider the incredible engineering of God’s works.
I thought of the miracle of my eyes that transmit an image to my brain, which in turn translates the image and sends me a sense of joy at the beauty I see. I thought of the ache and discomfort of my body as it fought with COVID-19 and began to feel comfort.
I began to marvel at the engineering of my body, which is “fearfully and wonderfully made.” My incredible body can heal when I hurt myself or become ill, a marvel of creation.
I realized that I had been blessed with the gift of COVID-19 for Christmas; I had been blessed with the realization that I had received the gift of a body with the ability to heal.
I pray that you may see the miracles around you and within you each day.
Bob Beck is the former lay leader of Ebbert Methodist Church and a faith columnist for The Chronicle.
