Introduction
This week I have been thinking about bones, both literally and metaphorically. According to one of my favorite shows, bones tell a story about a person’s life. Beyond that, bones are also the source of a person’s blood, and therefore, life. Thank you for joining me in this issue of The Adventure of Reflection as I contemplate the story of our bones.
A Minute of Motivation
Where is Beauty?
Emerson once said, “Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us, or we find it not.”
You’ve heard the expression, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Most people think of that phrase as referring to the way people in love view each other as beautiful, not seeming concerned about each other’s imperfections. The statement, however, can be applied to life in general. As you go about your daily activities, do you see beauty, or do you focus on the ugly aspects of life?
Everyone and everything has a beautiful side. Which do you notice most? When you look at yourself, do you focus on what’s good about you or what is not-so-good about you?
Look for the beauty inside of you. It will be easier to see beauty all around you. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, not the object the eye sees.
Note. Originally published in 1992 and republished here as part of a reflection on beauty in one’s bones. Wherever we go to find beauty we only find it if we carry beauty in our bones.
Enjoy Life More
Beauty in the Bones
As a native Missourian, and still a resident, I have known many Missouri winters. Some people think our winters are ugly. The trees are bare and it seldom snows. I agree that snow is beautiful; but I disagree that winters in Missouri are not.
I love the trees in the winter. As I write this, I am looking out a window and see the bare trees against a blue sky. Every branch and twig is visible, unobscured by leaves. As I look at the trees, with their intricate skeletons reaching into the sky, I imagine their roots, which I can never see. Similar to the “upside-down” portrayed in the Netflix series “Stranger Things,” trees have a visible and invisible nature. But, unlike the series, both parts of the tree are beautiful.
I love spring, summer, and fall, when the leaves are present, but the beauty of the leaves is dependent upon the bones of the tree. Those bones are only visible in the winter, and, then, only the bones above the soil.
To enjoy life more, ponder the beauty of the bones in the trees during winter. Imagine the other half of the tree, plunging deeply into the dark earth, anchoring and nourishing the visible part. The beauty of the tree, which many only see during the time when leaves are present, is in the bones.
Faith Corner
“The dead body touched Elisha’s bones and sprang to life.” (See 2 Kings 13: 21)
We think about blood and its value to life, clearly knowing that a loss of blood can quickly prove fatal. It’s true, life is in the blood, however, blood is made in the bones. Life, or death, flows from the bones.
There is an obscure story of a peculiar resurrection buried (pun intended) in the Old Testament of the Bible. Described in only one verse, a dead man was thrown into Elisha’s grave and came in contact with the prophet’s bones. The man “came to life and stood up on his feet.” There must have been something about Elisha’s bones. A power to restore life flowed from the prophet’s bones into the dead man.
Though this is a true, historic account, I would like us to consider what is in “our bones” as a metaphor. Elisha’s bones were a conduit for a restored life, literally. What “flows” through our “bones” into the lives of those with whom we come into contact? When someone “touches” us, does that contact bring life and restoration?
Some people have been described as “bad to the bone” while others are said to “not have a bad bone” in their bodies. Gracious words are said to “bring healing to the bones” (Prov. 16:24) while envy “rots the bones” (Prov. 14:30). And cursing, enters into “bones like oil” (Ps. 109:18).
Christians have the spirit of God in them, usually described as Jesus living in their hearts. Perhaps it would be better to think of Jesus living in one’s bones. Jesus, the source of life, is like the marrow in our bones, replenishing us with the blood of life. If the bones are healthy and alive the rest of the body is much more likely to also be healthy and alive.
Dear Lord, thank You for living in me, giving me the strength of strong bones, and replenishing my being with healthy blood. Help me to have Your love and life “flowing” through me so others, when they are near me, are touched by You. Thank You for healing my bones, my blood, and my life. Amen.
Poetry Pause
Missouri Bones
I was born with Missouri bones.
It was March, near the end of winter.
I grew up with my Missouri bones.
These Missouri bones have traveled to
Several countries and various states.
But Missouri has always been home.
And, at journey’s end,
I will die
And be buried
with Missouri bones.
By Cindy MacGregor, March 10, 2023.
Note. My birthday is coming up. As a child I was part of 4-H; we used to sing a song: “I’m Missouri born and Missouri bred, and when I die I’ll be Missouri dead. Tra-la-la. Tra-la-Missouri-souri. Tra-la-Missouri-souri. Tra-la-Missouri-4-H. 4-H!” At the rate I am going I think that will be my theme song.
Old Mom to Young Mom
Your Children’s Bones
My husband and I love to watch reruns of the series “Bones.” In each episode Dr. Brennan carefully examines the bones of someone who has died, and she can tell a story of the life now ended. She finds evidence of diseases, accidents, and environment, all stored in the condition of the bones.
I fell this week; it happened very quickly, too fast for my brain to signal my hands to buffer my fall. Thankfully my oversized purse, which I was holding in front of me, cushioned part of the impact; the rest of the jolt was absorbed by my left forearm and elbow. After the initial assessment of my injuries and the reconstitution of my composure, I started thinking about Dr. Brennan, aka “Bones” – what would she find if she examined my bones years from now (after I am finished with them)? Would evidence of my fall be archived in my bones?
As I pondered this mishap, I wondered what I might learn from it (besides the obvious need to walk more carefully). What about our lives is stored in our bones? In addition to recording injuries and illnesses, do our bones record the condition of our childhood in other, perhaps metaphorical, ways?
For example, if “a cheerful heart is good medicine,” is a cheerful home stored as “good bones” and “bad bones” are the result of a cruel home? Research has shown a strong correlation between childhood trauma and adult illness. What if part of the relationship is the health or damage “stored” in the child’s bones?
As an old mom to young parents, what is being stored in your children’s bones? Bitterness or contentment? Fear or courage? Criticism or acceptance? Their bones will not only tell a story of their childhood but will also be the foundation from which their adult lives will flow. Be wise about what you store in your children’s bones.
Dear Dr. Mac
A note to Marci – your weekly comments are a huge encouragement to me! Thank you for strengthening my bones for the continued work I do through this newsletter.
A note to all my readers: You can find all my previous posts at https://cindymacgregor.substack.com/archive
If you would like to hear what I think about something, please send an email to: drcjmacgregor@outlook.com; I will respond via email or in this section of a future newsletter, or both. I hope to hear from you!