She stood there, hands on her chest, breathing in and out, very deliberately and with intention. So I asked, “What are you doing?”
“I breathing, Mimi”, she replied nonchalantly.
At two and a half, she’s exploring all aspects of body functions and performs them with conviction. I’ve been introduced to burping, sneezing, coughing, and spitting, all of which make me think she is about to get sick or pass out.
Just thinking about it made me turn to a familiar passage …
“Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7, NASB)
Breathe – the inhaling and exhaling of air we all need to remain alive. Without breathing, we would cease to exist.
God only breathed into the man He had formed. Animals, while living, breathed apart from His breath. God performed CPR on Adam and Adam had life. God breathed into man, thus causing man to have an eternal soul and life. It is His breath which distinguishes us from all other living beings.
“He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22, NASB)
Jesus, empowered His disciples with the Holy Spirit to go forth and do as they were being commissioned. We too, as believers in Christ, have the Holy Spirit residing in us. He gives us life, empowering us to do the tasks He has called us to do. He invades our life with His strength, knowledge, and wisdom which we would not have possessed otherwise so we accomplish His will.
“For in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ ” (Acts 17:28, NASB)
He breathes into our dreams, resuscitating them with renewed life.
He breathes hope where there seems to be no hope.
He breathes love into a heart grown cold.
He breathes faith blowing the clouds of doubt away.
Today may we turn to God’s Word and let it do the work needed to breathe life back into our dry and parched souls.
“The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”
(Job 33:4, NASB)
God breathed on man,
and He is breathing on you and me,
to give us life as well.
** Come join and read the encouraging posts which have joined in. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you. If you share on social media, the hashtag #LetsHaveCoffee would be greatly appreciated!
Today I am joining …
This reminds me of an old hymn, “Breathe on Me, Breath of God.” I am so grateful He breathes life into me, physically and spiritually.
Yes, if we are remembering the same song, that is the one I shared above. I am so grateful He continually breathes life into us. And your post today was beautiful! Thank you for sharing it!
Joanne, so beautiful. I love this. The air we breathe, is the very breath of God. Shared on Pinterest and LinkedIn. Blessings.
When I am lazy about taking in the great gulps of truth like oxygen, I feel suffocated inside my own life. Thank you for thus call to breathe deeply!
I love this: He breathes hope, he breathes love, he breathes faith. Breathing is on everyone’s mind more and more the past year, but this is a beautiful take on it. Thanks, Joanne.
Without breath we cease to exist. Thankful for every existing day thanks to God above. Beautiful post.
Joanne, such a beautiful reminder that the breath in our lungs is God’s breath. As I practice mindfulness breathing, I focus on my breath as it is the most sacred part of my being. In that way I not only stay “present”, but I stay focused on God’s very Presence with me.
I have been doing a 30-day yoga practice. The title of the practice is “Breath”. I have found that focusing on my breathing at night before I go to sleep allows me to clear my mind to focus on my nightly prayers. I can just imagine your little granddaughter “practicing” her breathing. How precious! I loved this line: “He breathes into our dreams, resuscitating them with renewed life.” So hopeful and so true!
Jo’ I keep forgetting about your linkup. YIKES!!!
That’s OK – it’s open for several days 🙂
Beautiful. I had never before thought that we are the only living thing He breathed on.
Joanne, I love your list of the various things that that God breathes into us … I had never thought of that before. Hugs, friend!