Breathe… Finally

I promised you a song almost three years ago. You can read my original Post of encouragement here.  

Well, without further ado, my debut of “Breathe.” (Click the orange word “Breathe” to take you to a YouTube video. Don’t click the picture below – my blog format doesn’t allow me to post videos!)

The video is definitely not quality material. I made it to post to my Facebook page because I felt like the message couldn’t wait. There is so much going on in this world. There are so many struggles, so much loss, so much heartache and so much fear. We need to remember to breathe. There is life sustaining hope with each breath we take.

So, remember, no matter what you are going through today,

“You’ll find healing,

You’ll find hope,

You’ll find peace that won’t let go,

When you BREATHE.”

 

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Breathe

A couple of months ago, a Facebook friend was struggling with the death of a cherished friend and mentor.  His emotions were wreaking havoc with his mind and thoughts and the turmoil that ensued within was almost more than he could stand.  Post after post on his timeline told of his questions, his lack of understanding and his battle to find meaning in it all.  After weeks of wrestling with his grief and pain, one word began to premeate his thoughts –

He finally penned these words:

When you feel as if you can’t go on,

BREATHE.

When the storms of life cover you,

BREATHE.

When you don’t want to get out of bed in the morning,

BREATHE.

When you struggle with your emotions,

BREATHE.

When you feel as all is for naught,

BREATHE.

When you need a refreshing start,

BREATHE.

There are always going to be times when you feel choked off.  But know that the fresh breath of Oxygen will always be there to give you sustainable life.

– Ben Ford 4/8/18

Life can be overwhelming and if we aren’t careful, if we forget that we aren’t meant to do life alone, we can find ourselves suffocating under the weight of our burdens and cares.

In those desperate moments of grief, heartache, sorrow, uncertainty and helplessness, we must remember to breathe.

There is life-giving hope and strength in the surrender to our need to breathe.

There is rest and rejuvenation in each breath.

There is peace in the stillness that falls upon our souls.

Don’t allow life’s difficulties to smother you. Remember to breathe and in the quietness of each breath, talk to your Heavenly Father. Give Him your burdens, your troubles, your pain and your unanswered questions. Allow Him to breathe new life within you.

You can find peace in the midst of your turmoil today –

Just remember to

BREATHE.

 

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*** The heartfelt words written by my friend not only reminded me of my need to stop, be still and breathe when overwhelmed with life, they also inspired me to WRITE A SONG! I hope to be able to share it with you very soon. So keep an ear out! ***

A Year of Smiles – Day 248

Reason to SMILE #248: COMFORT

You may feel that you will never find joy again.

Hold tight, my friend. You will.

Until then, lean into the strong arms of your Heavenly Father. When the sorrows of night have passed, you will know JOY anew – JOY unmeasurable and SMILES innumerable.

But for now, rest in His comfort.

God is Faithful

As I entered our youth’s worship room last night, I could feel the solemnity of the day lingering overhead.  The tragedy of the death of one of our own was weighing heavy on the entire group.  Trey, our youth leader was preparing for the evening, readying our worship leader and recruiting young people to read Scriptures throughout the service.  There were only a few moments remaining before it was time to begin and those of us who were already in the worship room gathered to pray.  We asked for God to join us, to send His Comforter to our hurting young people and the family that lost their loved one, to open hearts and to change lives.  God is faithful to keep His promises.  As we prayed, His presence was undeniable.

After our prayer, Trey left the room to gather the group, leaving behind the worship leader strumming quietly on his guitar.  I sat in the darkness listening to the sweet serenade of the Spirit and asking God to give me strength and wisdom to counsel our young people in their time of grief.  Again, God is faithful to keep His promises.  In those few minutes before the service began, the boys who were to read the Scriptures began practicing their reading.  Each one was reading a separate passage of comfort from God’s Word and each, without regard to the other, was reading aloud in the darkness while a soft melody was playing.  God’s Word began to permeate the room filling it with comfort and peace.  And as each word was spoken, I could feel the Holy Spirit rushing into that place of worship.

There are many times in my life when I have felt God’s presence but there are few times, if any, that I have ever caught a glimpse of Him.  Last night, God was there.  I could feel Him next to me.  I could hear Him in the music.  I could taste Him in the Bread of Life being spoken.  And as each young person entered that worship room, I could almost see Him as He took their hands, guided them to their appointed places and then wrapped His loving arms of comfort around each one.

Sitting in His presence, we worshiped our Heavenly Father with our songs, our prayers and our tears.  And in that place, I found comfort in knowing that God, who is near to the brokenhearted, was near to the family of young Madison.  As He was holding each one of us in that youth room, He was holding that mother and father who were aching for their daughter.  And though that family may find it difficult to see God during this time, I know that He is with them.  He is shining through the faces of their church family.  He is embracing with the arms of the friends who surround them everyday and soon, He will reveal Himself in a peace that passes all understanding.

God has promised that He will walk with us through the valley of the shadow of death.  He has promised to hear us when we cry out to Him.  He has promised to comfort those who are hurting and to save those whose spirits are crushed.  And, oh!  My God is faithful to keep His promises.