
+Jeanne Takenaka @JeanneTakenaka
Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—BREATHE. This largely unedited “rough draft” form of writing stretches this perfectionist, in the best of ways. I write for five minutes on a given topic. If you’re interested in learning more about 5-Minute Fridays, check out our hostess, Kate Motaung’s site. Or, click on the link at the bottom of this post. As you read my simpler Friday posts, I hope you’ll join in the conversation!
BREATHE
When I saw tonight’s word, it just opened up a space in my heart. After a busy, busy month, I am having to remember how to breathe. So, here’s tonight’s offering:
I’ve been breathing in short shallow breaths as if my soul has forgotten how to inhale deeply.
After two very busy, totally nonstop months, my lungs are trying to remember what it’s like to just breathe deep.
It’s easy to settle for the shallow when that’s all I can focus on. Hubs’ travels, a little bit of sickness. A few minor health procedures coming up.
Some days I can’t even poke my head above the ocean of the to-do list and look around at the beauty in my world. Too many appointments to get to.
Boys assignments to check up on.
House things to take care of.
God wants us to breathe deep.
I’m trying to be intentional about breathing. This is the only way the deep breaths will come.

I can rush through my day, focused on the urgent . . .
or I can slow down even if just for a few minutes and focus on the necessary.
The urgent…it will always be there.
The housework.
The homework.
The phone calls.
Emails.
The necessary? This is the better thing.
My spirit craves those still moments with Jesus.
Sometimes I can’t stop the busyness that finds its way into my days.
But I can control how I respond to it.
Do all things have to be done today?
Maybe not.
At the beginning of each day, I need to be breathing in God’s living Word. I need to be breathing out praise to Him.
I may not get an hour with Him. I may not even get thirty minutes with Him.
But, I need to BE with Him. Daily. No interruptions.
It’s only as I spend time with Jesus that I am able to do more than suck in the shallow.
It’s only when my heart is still before Him that I can soak in the necessary.
That I can embrace and cling to His presence with me in my days.

It’s when I take time to breathe in His truth, His encouragement, His love that I am able to choose deep breaths during the rest of my day.
What about you? How do you slow down to breathe during the busy days? What reminds you to slow down long enough to breathe deeply?
I’m linking up with Kate Motaung’s Heading Home Five Minute Friday—Breathe
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