Shakespeare had it right when he offered poetic praise to the Creator for the marvellous complexity of nature. Hamlet’s speech has always been a favourite.
Recently I had surgery on a vein in my left leg. This required wearing a compression stocking for several weeks 24/7 which was an uncomfortable pressure. In the follow up appointment with the surgeon he gave me a date to take it off.
When I removed it I immediately had a strong sense not just of relief, but how marvellous is the complexity of the human leg. It sounds obvious when you realize how dependent we are on the exact functioning of the muscles, bones, arteries, and veins, etc to stand, let alone walk.
The first cause as Aquinas points out, is one of the five proofs for God’s existence. Human beings did not just evolve from random fish into primates with self reflection ability. We are the product of divine intelligence.
The surgeon said I will need a second surgery on another tributary vein, later in the summer. Now that I know the compression stocking awaits another go, I am resigned to “no pain no gain.” But it doesn’t thrill me to do the penance.
Along with “offering it up”, I hope I will use it as a time to praise the Creator both for my health, and also the knowledge and skill of the vascular surgeon.