Breathe...

AWMoore

I admit it. I have been tense and distraught this week. The kind of distraught that steals my hope that hearts hardened by power will ever soften toward justice that fosters the Right of Life for all people. The kind of tension that constricts my chest and tightens my jaw and makes my breathing shallow. Two friends in the past two days reminded me to breathe. I am grateful to them. The space between the letters of that simple word they texted, breathe, reached out and gave me space to breathe.

This morning the sun is shining through a cloudy sky and droplets rest on the leaves from last night’s rain. The air feels fresh, washed by the water that poured through it. So I’m sitting on my porch taking it in; simply breathing, simply enjoying, simply noticing…the birds, the breeze, the amazing diversity of natural color. A Taizé song started repeating in my head and worked its way to my soul, “Come into our hearts with your peace,” and I began to remember words of hope.

The Lord leads me beside still waters and restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:2-3

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in God.”
Lamentations 3:22-23

I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God. Romans 8:35

Since God loves us so much, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11

What is this precious love and laughter budding in our hearts? It is the glorious sound of a soul waking up!
Rumi

I am reminded that in first breathing, first making space for love, then I am restored so I can do what is mine to do. Friends, as I pray for you, for me, for us in this world, I invite you to a moment to breathe (click here) …

Peace be with us that we may bring Peace.

With great love, in this together…