Just Breathe

Life is not going quite according to plan.
The specs on my summer somehow got mislaid along the way and I find myself nearing the end of August wondering what happened.
Night after night I lie in the dark, tears leaking from the corners of my eyes, whispering the name of Jesus over and over.

It is a plea?
Is it a hope?
Is it a crutch?

There are moments when I feel that I don't have the right to use His precious name.
Those moments are the ones when I cling anyways.
I cling tighter.
I grip with the strength of one going under for the third time.
It is not common sense... but an outlandish realization that: I have no where else to go !

Whom have I but you Lord ?

 The words escape my lips with every breath I breathe.

Just Breathe.

I have gone so far beyond reasonable faith.

I am past reason.

I will NOT let go.

I am declaring like the three who stood before the furnace:

My God will save me...and even if He does not: I will not bow.

He saves because of His nature.
He rescues, because of who He is.
His mercy.... is full of MERCY.
Grace.... unmerited... undeserved....unrelenting: is found in HIM ALONE.

Today ... stripped... standing in the light of day: I am the Least.

Not measured by possessions, education or station in life... but by what I have to offer in exchange for His perfection:

NOTHING.

I am last.

Unless He raises me up:  I am NOWHERE.

He makes me SOMEONE.

I am who He says I am.

He makes me His.

As I sit here alone the world fades, even as the sun shines in a blazing blue sky and I hear cars passing, the sound of children's voices and birdsong are carried by the breeze through my window:

Just Breathe, I whisper to myself.

Just Breathe, the Spirit whispers deep within.

The breath of God: my creator, my designer... sustains me.

I am because He decided I was to be.

I trust because there is NOTHING else, NO ONE else ....

I know I need Him.

I NEED HIM.

Like air.

All I need to do is: Just Breathe.

How's your breathing today?