If you are sick, have an addiction or bear a cross, this is for you!

And, of course, if someone you care for has any of the above this still applies.
One of the best known and best loved bloggers is Laurence England of
That the Bones you have Crushed may Thrill; quite simply, it is the best title of any blog anywhere, but are you aware of the meaning behind the words which come from the Psalm, Misere Mei Deus? There are many translations but I like Laurence's version best.
The phrase refers to a practice common amongst shepherds at the time Our Lord walked the earth.

A wanderer no more!

If they had a wandering sheep (always a problem as not only did the shepherd stand to lose the sheep but, often, other members of the flock would also follow the wanderer never to return) the shepherd would take it and crush one of its legs with a rock; brutal? but please hear all of the explanation.........the shepherd would then bind up the leg and, of course, the lamb would roam no more.

In addition, when the flock moved to pastures new, the shepherd would place the 'wanderer' across his shoulders and carry it to fresh grass...an intimate act of love and care.
I am sure by now that you are ahead of me and already have worked out that the shepherd is Our Blessed Lord and the broken leg is our cancer, addiction or whatever particular cross that either we or our loved ones carry.
Christ has bound us closely to Him and will bear us on His shoulders as we travel through life.  He will not allow us to wander; all suffering is redemptive!
The wording on this version is slightly different but the meaning is the same...............

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness:
According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

This post is dedicated to all those bloggers who are carrying a cross at present (there seems to be a lot of you out there). I hope this explanation helps you in your sufferings.