O God, Where art Thou?

Do not disdain your body

for the soul is just as safe

in its body as in the

kingdom of God.

-Mechtilde of Magdeburg

But what do you do if you were violated, abused, raped? Trampled on, reduced to trash, betrayed, emotionally and psychologically murdered?

Such is the challenge of this children's hospital chaplain who bought my book and wrote me for help with her 'kids'? Her clientele are adolescents, mostly girls, who were abused. She wanted body prayer poses for her kids but with some warning. She said her kids can not and will not do poses that exposes the chest, that pushes the pelvis forward, that sticks the tail out, that makes them squat, that asks them to lay down either on their backs or on their tummies.

Just imagine moving within that prison cell. If you can call that movement. It is an emotional and psychological straight jacket. It is like being held back by an invisible electric fence. Venture out, and it will be hell. Stay inside, and it is hell. Imagine living like that.

How about you? What are you afraid of? What past experience holds you back from freedom, from dancing out of sync, from singing out of tune? What makes you cry?

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from helping me,

from the words of my groaning?

O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;

And by night, but find no rest.

But I am a worm, and not human;

scorned by others, and despised by the people.

O my help, come quickly to my aid!

- from Psalm 22 (NRSV)

What you do to the least of these...

But I am a worm, and not human; 

scorned by others, and despised by the people. 

All who see me mock at me; 

they make mouths at me, they shake their heads; 

‘Commit your cause to the Lord; 

let him deliver—let him rescue the one in whom he delights!’ 

Yet it was you who took me from the womb; 

you kept me safe on my mother’s breast. 

On you I was cast from my birth, 

and since my mother bore me you have been my God. 

Do not be far from me, for trouble is near

   and there is no one to help. 

Many bulls encircle me, 

strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 

they open wide their mouths at me, 

like a ravening and roaring lion. 

I am poured out like water, 

and all my bones are out of joint;

my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; 

my mouth is dried up like a potsherd, 

and my tongue sticks to my jaws;

   you lay me in the dust of death. 

For dogs are all around me; 

a company of evildoers encircles me.

My hands and feet have shrivelled; 

I can count all my bones.

They stare and gloat over me; 

they divide my clothes among themselves, 

and for my clothing they cast lots. 

But you, O Lord, do not be far away!

O my help, come quickly to my aid!