Love is Here

Me: Hey God.

God: Hello, My Love.

Me: My mind is such a mess right now.

God: It would probably be wise if you didn’t focus so much on your thoughts today.

Me: I know. I’m sure what you will say next is that you want me to focus on the beating of my heart.

God: That does sound like something I would say, doesn’t it?

Me: Yeah – but my heart isn’t much better right now.

God: I can see that. Actually, I was about to tell you that you should focus on your lungs.

Me: My lungs?

God: Yes, your breathing. Center on your breathing.

Me: I can’t. I think I’m having a panic attack. It’s hard to breathe.

God: Close your eyes. Inhale. Focus on the air in your lungs and the gift of life you have been given. Hold onto your breath for a moment and you will feel my arms wrap around you. I am here. This day is not yours alone to face. I am here. I am here. With every breath you take I am here with you. You will not have to endure your anxiety alone. Exhale and allow yourself to feel the peace of my presence.

Me: I don’t think I am going to make it through this whole day.

God: Don’t worry about your entire day. Just worry about the next breath you are going to take. Take another breath. Hold on to it. Remember that I have loved you since the first star was ever born. Then exhale and rest in Me. Keep doing that over and over until it happens…

Me: Until what happens?

God: The exact moment where you stop taking breathing for granted and begin treating it like the prayer it is.

Me: Wait – breathing is a prayer?

God: It can be if you allow it to be. If you treat breathing as sacred it will become one of the most beautiful prayers you will ever offer and you will hear My sweet song that I am constantly singing back to you.

Me: What’s Your song called?

God: “Be still. All is well. Love is here.”

when my angry brain
is racing my poor heart
to see which one
will break down first

my lungs become
the eye of the storm

and I begin to inhale
grace
and peace

and suddenly I am not
alone in my dark room
anymore

the Great Love arrives

and my jagged breathing
has turned into an instrument
of mercy playing the loveliest
ballad I have ever heard

The Divine sings

“Be still.
Be still.
Be still.
Love is here.
Be still.
Fall into this moment.
All is well.
Be still.
Love is here.
Be still.
Fall into this moment.
Be still.
Love is here.”

During my darkest
nights I allow God
to use my lungs as
a piano
and I know that
I will never be alone.

breathing in grace
breathing out redemption
breathing in grace
breathing out redemption

breathing is my new favorite prayer

love is here
love is here
love is here

~ john roedel

(Breathtaking art by the wonderful Roberta Schmidt)