I am fearfully and wonderfully made

I nearly didn't go to Zac's tonight. I was in my usual 'Oh, I can't be bothered,' mood. I'm so glad I did go.

I'd only been there a few minutes and we were still in the chatting and coffee drinking mode, when there was a banging. Everyone went quiet and looked to the back where the noise was coming from. Micky was banging his mug on the table.

Micky is an alcoholic. Until recently he was a reformed (is that the right word?) alcoholic. He had a job, was going to church and was living with a lovely young woman. They'd bought a house and he was doing it up. Then I don't know what happened, but he began drinking again.

He was pretty far gone tonight and there was just a slight uneasiness and glances were exchanged in the moment's silence before he spoke. When he did speak his speech was slow and laboured. It was difficult to understand each word he said but it became clear he was reading from the Bible.

It was psalm 139 and, as he slowly ploughed his way through, the room was completely silent. He became more emotional towards the end but refused someone's whispered offer to finish it for him. He was going to do it, however long it took.

At the end he apologised for reading and said it had just come to him. Sean said there was nothing to apologise for. Micky wasn't the only one with tears in his eyes.

Psalm 139, as well as being a cry to search the writer's (David's) soul, is a wonderful testament to the worth of each individual.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.