The simple but powerful word, breath, is heard a lot these days.
I believe all breath begins with God. He is the giver of breath, the giver of life. “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Job 33:4
But a little over a week ago breath was taken from George Floyd at the hand of a police officer. “I can’t breath”, were some of George’s last words and became the chant of thousands of protesters to his deplorable murder. Unfortunately some of the protests erupted into horrible acts of violence and looting…and broke our hearts and took away from what we are all looking for – justice and an end to racism.
I read this quote in a comments section of a blog. “Let us all take a breath. Let us all take a breath. Everyone in the country needs to take a breath for peace. Take a breath….because Mr.Floyd could not.” ~ anonymous.
Later that day I picked up the book my friend and I use for writing group to check on our next assignment and I was surprised and suddenly overcome with emotion…the next assignment was titled “Breathe“. I immediately texted my friend and asked her if she had looked at the assignment yet. She had not and without telling her what it was about she looked it up and it caused an emotional reaction for her too.
This word…it keeps showing up…and is so apropos to our current situation…this week, this death, these unsettling times.
As we continue to process all that is going on in this world right now, let us take deep breaths for peace, be kind to one another, and remember God is among us.
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6
What an incredible and timely blog! If you listened to any of George Floyd’s service yesterday, Rev. Al Sharpton mentioned it in his eulogy.
How ironic that your writing group will have that word, breath, as your next assignment. A powerful word regarding what happened to George Floyd and without a breath, many Covid-19 patients died!
You are right Shirley. Breath is apropos to the many Covid-19 patients too. Thank you for that reminder.
Beautifully stated, Val. Life is never simple nor are its conflicts but taking a breath for peace is a simple place to start. One of my personal mantras when feeling stressed is “breathe in life, breathe out stress” and has been said enough in our household that it has become one of those classic, oft repeated, phrases for our family. The analogy that Mr. Floyd can no longer take a breath is a heartbreaking image to consider. Thank you for sharing the insight.
I really like your personal mantra…will be using it myself…
“Breathe in life, breathe out stress.” Thank you Sue.
Oh, Valerie, such a beautiful assessment of the word “breath.” Powerful and deeply moving. I am so happy that one of our writing assignment is to think through that word. There is always meaning to God’s universe, and we have been blessed with a deeply meaningful assignment. Thanks for writing this blog. We all needed to read it. Bless you, my friend.
Thank you Sheri. We are blessed to write through this together.
Thanks Valerie for sharing… your words are so timely and redirecting my thoughts! BREATHE! Hope returns!
Jackie!!!
We always have hope, right?
Breathe.
I so appreciate this post, Valerie. I know it’s been a difficult past few weeks for you and these words are so important. It’s no coincidence that you are reading that book next. God at work…
Amen.
Thanks Audrey.