If you find yourself running from one responsibility to the next, don't forget to stop and breathe along the way.

Not just the normal in and out of air that keeps your oxygen level balanced,

but the kind of breathing that makes you stop and notice just how great it feels to expand your lungs to their full potential.

The kind of breath that makes everything else go "on hold" for a minute while you take in the wonder of that one moment.

And then exhale slowly.

Something happens to your body's stress level when you breathe deeply.

I don't understand the science behind it, but I know it works.

And one or two slow, deep breaths followed by a couple slow exhales can take an otherwise insane experience and transform it immediately.

Try it now.

Breathe in and slowly count to 10.

Now breathe out and do the same.

Do this twice.

Do you feel better?

No?

Then maybe you need one more try, or maybe you need to get up and take a walk away from whatever is getting to you.

Try not to lose your perspective in this life.

I know it's easy to do.

But try this.

Look up.  Literally, look up.

You may see a ceiling above you, but truly what's above that?

Him.

Eternity.

The reason we're here.

All that really matters.

We've made life awfully complicated, haven't we?

I'm doing my best to stay focused on the One Who set all things in motion.

When I do, it's so much easier to handle my job, a house that needs cleaned, laundry that needs washed, dishes that need scrubbed, children I miss that have moved away, children here who still have struggles with life and friends, and all the other things one day can hold.

Today, instead of complaining, instead of fretting, instead of seeing the dark side of life,

why not take a minute to just praise God for the gift of breathing.

I love that the Bible records God breathing life into man in the book of Genesis and then records the final breath of Jesus.

The Bible is the only book that is inspired, which means, "God - breathed."

What would happen if all around the world, people would simply stop, breathe deeply, and thank God for the gift of life?

I'm praying for you all today as I venture out into the world of work.

Soak up special moments every chance you can.

And thank God for them.

Let everything that has breath

praise the Lord.

Psalm 150:6