The Breath Of God

Then after an awful pause, the deep voice said, "Susan." Susan made no answer but the others thought she was crying. "You have listened to fears, child," said Aslan. "Come, let me breathe on you. Forget them. Are you brave again?"
"A little, Aslan," said Susan.
- Prince Caspian, C.S. Lewis

This spoke to me. As one who has battled fear, the idea that the Lord's Spirit can breathe on me and take away fears is wonderful...hopeful.

I think back about just a few places in scripture that mention the breath of God.

• "Then the LORD formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath or spirit of life, and man became a living being." Genesis 2:7 AMP
• "Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." John 20:21-22 NIV
• "All scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness," 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV

So I have begun to ask God, "Breathe on me." What life, courage and wisdom is promised through the Breath of the Most High! Yes- Lord, humbly, I ask you to breathe on me.

"...the whole earth is full His glory!" Isaiah 6:3b AMP

I came across this picture on earthshots.org. It is just beautiful! The color and texture--a really incredible shot by Karen Chappell. I'm not familiar with earthshots or with Chappell's work--but I am humbled by such a picture. How creative, incredible, and refreshingly beautiful is our God!

Yes, indeed--the whole earth is full of His glory! Holy is our God!

Article on Nanny...and a pretty cute picture too!

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_177888.asp

Loss, Relief...and Celebration

I attached this picture because I love the stained glass heart. I got it at the Captivating Retreat. Dennis and I both have bookshelf lamps and I attached the heart on the knob of the lamp. Every morning and every evening when I turn the light on or off...there is the heart.

My grandmother, Nanny, died yesterday. I wish I had something beautiful or profound to say, but really I would do a complete injustice to all that I have experienced with her.

In truth I have had some of the most important experiences of my life with her. My Nanny developed Alzheimer's in her early 50's. She was 75 when she passed. That's a long time. In a span of nearly 25 years I have had the opportunity to serve her--to watch my mother server her-- in ways that have shaped my life. There is a humility that comes when you serve someone who depends on you...when they cannot do it themselves...when they can't tell you what they feel or what they need. And while this sounds like taking care of an infant (which sometimes it was a little like that) there is something more humbling still to do this for an adult. To watch the years on their face as you help them eat, clean them up, brush their hair--it makes you feel small. It made me reach outside of myself for help...for God's grace when I couldn't understand what she needed, when I was tired or afraid.

Our hearts are so valuable. The last thing Nanny spoke to me that made any kind of sense was about Jesus. While her mind was going--her heart knew. She said she was so grateful that He loved her and that the only reason we were able to love was because He loved us.

Yesterday I felt the most bizarre combination of emotion. It swept over me like a hurried breeze. Sadness over her loss. Relief that she would hurt no more. And celebration of her being with her God--Who loves her.