Silent Respect

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 2 Cor. 5:1-2 (NLT)

Like it says in the verse above, someday we'll have eternal bodies. My current aches, pains and restrictions are clear and present reminders of that hope. One day, our knees won't crackle, our bones won't break. No more back problems or stomach aches. No more cancer, heart disease, diabetes or sore throats. One day.

Until then - with you - I will try and take care of my body, trusting God with the results as His gifts and my limits just the same. Doing both takes grace.

Friends, may you and I be a resource of comfort for the hurting and struggling, and a source of inspiration and motivation for those that see today - maybe for the first time - as a day to make bodily stewardship a means of praise.

Father help us deal with our aches and pains with grace. This temporary body carries the soul, so may how we treat it be a small, silent, humble way of showing respect for that honor. Amen.

- Jimmy Peña