My Stupid Back!

That's been my daily exclamation for the past month.  I have a bad disc that decided to herniate for no good reason a little over a month ago.  I've had relentless muscle spasming and have been reduced to the most undignified postures.  I have submitted myself to the peculiar ministrations of a talkative chiropractor on many occasions with little lasting success.  I have winced at the prospect of getting into cars and come close to tears at the prospect of getting back out of them.
But it's only been in the last week that I've paused to consider what benefit to my spirit I might get from the failure of my body, what firmness I might find beneath my infirmity.
This is the hymn I came up with while painfully going through my custodial routine a couple of mornings ago.

Though wonderfully made,

Not wonderful enough;

At best my death is but delayed

While I'm of earthly stuff.

Each day could bring some pain,

Or viral misery,

Or injury I must sustain,

But what can sustain me?

I feel the curse but feel

There is a promise too

Of better things bearing the seal

Of One whose word is true.

And I will one day know

The pleasure of a state

Free from the failure here below;

This dying that I hate.

While I wait for renewal

I would a lantern prove

With all my hurts for ample fuel

Ignited by His love.

With crippled limbs for wings,

Beauty in scars revealed,

I'll praise Him through my broken things

Till brokenness is healed.