Monthly devotional: breathe

Today, we will explore the profound connection between Yahweh, the Creator of all life, and the breath that sustains us. Just as breath is essential for our physical existence, so is Yahweh crucial for our spiritual well-being.

Scripture Verse:

Genesis 2:7 (NIV)

"Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."

Just as breath is a continuous cycle, so is our connection with Yahweh. Each breath we take is a reminder of His presence within us, sustaining us, and giving us life. Our every inhale is an invitation to receive His love, guidance, and strength. And with every exhale, we release our worries, fears, and burdens into His capable hands.

Yahweh's breath is not only physical but also spiritual. His breath revives our weary souls, renews our minds, and restores our spirits. When we align our breath with His, we become attuned to His will and experience His peace that surpasses all understanding.

Application:

1. Be mindful of your breath: Take a moment to pause, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing. With each inhale, imagine receiving the breath of Yahweh, filling you with His love, peace, and purpose.

2. Breathe in His Word: As you read and meditate on Scripture, allow the words to penetrate your heart and mind. Inhale His promises, His guidance, and His wisdom. Let His Word shape your thoughts and actions.

3. Share His breath of life: Just as Yahweh breathed life into us, let us share His love and life with those around us. Through acts of kindness, encouragement, and love, let us become vessels of His breath, bringing hope and renewal to others.

Prayer:

Gracious Father, thank you for the gift of breath and the reminder of your presence within us. Help us to be mindful of our connection with you through each breath we take. May your breath, O Yahweh, fill us with your love, peace, and purpose. Teach us to rely on your guidance and strength in every aspect of our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

Marathon mentality

If you’ve never run a mile before, it would probably be unwise to try to run a marathon. Your body won’t be conditioned for it, and you will end up injured and miserable. Just as a race requires physical conditioning, rising from past pain will require soul conditioning. It will require exercising authority over your thoughts, emotions, and actions in ways you may have never tried before. This means we all begin our healing journey weak and needing a strength-training regimen. And our souls get stronger the same way our bodies get stronger—by doing that which is unnatural. It’s unnatural to run long distances and lift heavy weights, but building our cardiovascular and musculoskeletal strength requires both.

Romans 12:1-2—And so, dear brothers, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living sacrifice, holy—the kind he can accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you. TLB

Are you Mom Enough- reflections in motherhood

**A Lesson in Motherhood: Finding Perspective in a Different World**

This week, I stumbled upon a story that truly moved me—one that left me emotional and reflective, even as I sat in my car. I've been listening to the book *Mom Enough*, which features the experiences of mothers from around the world. Each chapter offers a glimpse into their highs and lows, and I highly recommend it.

One particular mom's story caught my attention. While most of the mothers featured come from Western countries, this one has spent the last ten years in a remote village in Northern Africa. Her husband was on assignment, and she took on the incredible task of homeschooling their three children in a place with limited resources.

Every year, when she returns to the States for Christmas, she is overwhelmed by the social media chatter and the judgments that swirl around parenting. The debates over feeding practices, schooling choices, and parenting styles dominate the conversation, and yet, she lives in a world completely disconnected from those pressures. In her village, there’s no consistent supply of clean water, hot showers, or even electricity. The nearest hospital is a six-hour flight away, and her reality is far from the conveniences we often take for granted.

Imagine raising children in such an environment, where going to the park or watching a YouTube video is simply not an option. Her daily life is filled with genuine fears—like the potential danger of wild animals—and the focus is on survival rather than competing in the “Mommy Wars.”

Her perspective shifted something within me. She reminded me that, at the end of the day, our children need the bare essentials: our time, our energy, and our love. All the toys, technology, and resources we obsess over are secondary to the core mission of building a strong family foundation and nurturing kind, empathetic individuals.

In her village, she fosters a learning environment rich with empathy, tolerance, and love. Education for her children isn’t confined to books; it’s woven into the fabric of daily life. The community comes together to support one another, cooking meals, building homes, and solving real-life problems. This hands-on approach to life teaches invaluable lessons that go beyond traditional schooling.

Reflecting on her story made me realize how easily we can become tunnel-visioned in our American lifestyle, fixating on the resources available to us. I often find myself buying the latest educational apps, worrying if my kids are getting enough of a “top-notch” education. But this mom's journey reminded me to be grateful for the resources we have while also recognizing that there are mothers around the world who, despite having far less, prioritize relationships and real-life skills over material things.

Ultimately, her story is a call to action for all of us. Let’s shift our focus back to what truly matters—nurturing our children’s hearts and minds, building strong relationships, and fostering a sense of community. After all, it’s love and connection that will shape our children into the kind humans we aspire for them to be.