BREATHE AND REST
Breathe is the Five Minute Friday word for this week. I wonder what it was like to be the first human, to take that first breath, to look around and see all that God had made. Did Adam think about breathing or did it just come naturally? Did he gasp at all the beauty of new creation? How about us? Do we stop to enjoy and wonder at creation? We all need to breathe and relax.
Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Did Adam think about breathing or did it just come naturally? Did he gasp at all the beauty of new creation? I know that nowadays I don’t really think about breathing, unless I’m congested and am having trouble. Breathing is a natural body function when working properly. It’s something we do without which we would die.
Sometimes it is hard to breathe when the air is stale or the oxygen supply is low. I am blessed to live in a place where I am close to the woods. There is usually fresh air in plentiful supply. That’s one reason I love to go outside when inside seems stuffy.
TAKE TIME TO BREATHE AND RELAX
There are times when I get so busy that I realize my neck is tight and I feel stressed. That’s when I need to think about how I am breathing. In order to relieve some of that stress I practice some slow breathing.
Breathe in slowly through your nose, hold it a few seconds then let it out slowly through your mouth. When I do this and consciously relax my tight muscles it usually is refreshing. I just take a few minutes of this slow breathing, and it forces me to pause.It gives me time to think about whether I need to keep working or take a rest.
When I do take time to stop, to rest and just sit outside and breathe, I can be more aware of my surroundings. I am able to find the beauty in the ordinary and sometimes have more of a sense of the Presence of God.
The first verse of an old hymn came to mind when I saw the prompt for this week. The title is Breathe On Me, Breath of God, and the words were written in the 1800’s. Here is that verse which is also my prayer:
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love what thou dost love,
and do what thou wouldst do.
If you want to see the rest of the lyrics and learn more about the song, I found a short essay HERE that might be of interest.
I’m linking up with #FiveMinuteFriday, #FreshMarketFriday, #MomentsofHope, #Monday’sMusings, #TeaAndWord
Taking time to ask the body what it needs is so important. I forget to do it until I’m feeling flat out wasted. I’d like to get better at listening to my body.
The lyrics are beautiful. To love what he loves and do what he does. Those words are still needed today.
I’m visiting from FMF.
Yes, it is important, and so often I forget, too. You’d think we’d get better at it, because when we do stop and take that break we feel better.
I agree about the lyrics. It’s one of my favorite hymns.
Blessings to you, Cheryl, and thanks for visiting!
I love this concept Gayl! What did Adam feel as he took the first breath of air breathed into him by God Himself! Wow! Now you have me going! Thanks for sharing. Beautiful – as always.
Karen
Yes, I had not thought of it before, but I really do wonder now!
Thanks so much for visiting, Karen, and for your encouragement!
Many blessings to you!
Oh so good, Gayl. I too have learned about stopping to deliberately breathe in the good and exhale allowing myself to reset, and in His presence no less… often to abate the feelings of chronic depression that like to lurk. Grateful I got to connect with ya today, friend! xxoo
Thank you, Christine! I’m glad we got to connect today, too. It’s great to touch base with you again!
Blessings are found in the Presence of God. May He bless you richly today! xo
You have such beautiful, peaceful surroundings, Gayl! I love the images you share. They exude a sense of peace and calm. It’s no wonder you come alive to God’s presence when breathing in fresh air and savouring the splendid view. it’s also good to be aware of how well we are breathing in Holy Spirit air and savouring the beauty of His presence. May you have a restful weekend, dear friend. Blessings and love. xox
I’m glad to share my surroundings with you, Joy! It really is peaceful most of the time, though sometimes at night we can hear coyotes howling. I do love the fresh air and the beauty of the woods.
Thanks for your encouraging presence here, dear Joy! Blessings to you!
Amen! We all need to remember to slow and take time to breathe when life gets crazy.
Yes, and I wonder why it’s so hard for us to do that. 🙂 Blessings to you, Tara!
Dear Gayl,
Thank you for this good word. I am fighting off a virus, that is leaving me feeling breathless tonight, so these are such good thoughts to purposely slow my breathing. And I love the Hymn that you quoted, and the link to learn more about it. What a wonderful verse they referenced from John 20, when Jesus sent out the Disciples: “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” I will be pondering these thoughts tonight, my friend! –Blessings and Hugs! xo
Oh, dear Bettie, I am so sorry you are fighting a virus. Those are no fun. I pray that you will feel better soon. Yes, I thought about that verse, too, as I read it. There’s a lot to think about in the breath of God and the Holy Spirit. Things we don’t fully understand but know to be true.
Blessings to you! Love and hugs! xoxo
That was awesome! First of all, I absolutely loved the song. I have never heard it, but it ministered to my heart right away.
I have never really thought about what it must have been like to be Adam and to see all these amazing works of God, but I do imagine so much of it was breathtaking. I love that our hearts can be stirred by His creation.
Have a wonderful weekend!
God bless you!
Thank you, Kelly! I’m so glad you stopped by. That song is an old one. I remember singing it in the church where I grew up. It’s been a few years, but I also heard Steve Green sing it in more recent times.
I also love “…that our hearts can be stirred by His creation.” Have a great weekend! Blessings to you!
What a great reminder to remember to take it slow and breathe deep!!
Thanks, Marvia! It’s a reminder to myself, too. I need to remember it often.
Blessings to you and have a great week! Love you, sister! xo
Living near the woods makes it so much easier to breathe, I think. I spent time in Ontario, CA last week, and marveled at how dificult it was to breathe deeply!
I’m inclined to agree with you, Anita. We used to live by an interstate and the air always smelled like automobile exhaust. I’m so glad to be near the woods now. 🙂
Thanks for visiting! Blessings to you!
Deep breaths! Love this. Such a simple solution with such heavy implications on so many levels. Thanks for the reminder.
#TeaAndWord
Thank for stopping by, Brittany, and for your encouraging words.
Many blessings to you!
Yikes! I think I often completely forget to breathe as I run from one thing to the other! lol! Thanks, Gayl, for reminding me how important the simple things are!
Much love,
Lori
Yes, Lori, I know what you mean. I have done the same thing! It is so important to remember to pause and take time to breathe. I have to constantly remind myself. 🙂
Blessings and much love to you, Lori! xo