I spend an average of 6 hours a day in my bathing suit from open water swimming in the Gulf of Mexico to teaching swimming at the Long Center in Clearwater. The swimmers, including me, come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and with different aptitudes. One of the best swimmers, with an even, consistent stroke, is 68 years old, 5’1” and about 180 pounds. Her confidence is contagious! Most swimmers have no chest to speak of and those of us who do need to have extra support and wear an extra bikini top underneath our onesie. When you live your life without your street clothes on, you get accustomed to taking yourself as you come and focusing on something you can be proud of: the fact that you are up and moving around.
All that matters is that we are exercising, and for the newbies, getting up the courage to do what is hard. Some dress in Speedo suits, some wear a burkini that covers the whole body except the face and hands but is very light. Some from India wear their gold bracelets. One swimmer is missing legs beneath the thighs and part of an arm suffered in amputation. Several suffer from PTSD due to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. But what we all have in common is understanding that we are gifted with our bodies.
Our bodies do so much for us and no matter how they look they need to be treated with love, kindness, and respect: give them the grace of acceptance. Tell your body you love it, especially the parts you have been judging harshly. Your body hears you just like the Lord. You wouldn’t say something unkind to God. Your prayers I suspect often express gratitude. Do the very same thing to yourself.
We are made in the image of God and the Savior creates diversity because he loves it. If you are injured or experiencing illness or a disease, be especially sensitive to your internal monologue. Our faith encourages us to be compassionate. Please show that same faith by treating your exceptional body with grace. “Hey, beautiful, you look great.” Give your body part a name. When I broke my foot I named it Davida which is Welsh for beloved. The only problem was my other foot got jealous and I haven’t found anything suitable. Maybe Graceful would work - after all it is my left foot!!!
"Have you forgotten that your body is now the sacred temple of the Spirit of Holiness, who lives in you?" 1 Corinthians 6:19a
-Shira Pacult (a guest writer and grace filled new member of the COBI community)