As an intro to today's blog I am going to tell a little story about walking my dog today.
Saying our dog, Nina, loves her walks is an understatement! And today, I had so much going on that if we were going to walk, I had to get up early and 'git-r-done'.
I'm not sure what got into Nina this morning, but she was wired for sound. Walking so fast and sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff! Walking and sniffing, walking and sniffing, so preoccupied that she didn't even notice another dog in the vicinity. Who slipped my dog some cocaine?
And then I had a thought. I'm kinda like that right now, aren't I, Lord? Dancing as fast as I can, so many projects, so little time. My home, my family, my friends...Lord how will I get it all done? Will the world keep spinning if I don't try and do it all?
I read Britni's blog and took the time to put it into practice. I hope you will too!
~Darla
As a detour from our current blog theme and typical sort of Salt Blog content, I wanted to offer you a simple chance to pause and breathe.
In the midst of whatever life may hold for you right now, be it anxiety about a pending decision; a mundane list of to-do’s; excitement for a new opportunity; or despair over an outcome you can’t control, take a moment to slow down and get grounded.
Notice the pace and depth of your current breathing. Is it slow and deep, or shallow and quick? Are you breathing through your mouth or your nose? Is there tension in your face or are your muscles relaxed?
Now take an intentional slow breath in through your nose, feeling your chest expand, and hold it briefly. Then slowly exhale through your mouth, pushing out all the air in your lungs until they feel empty, which prompts another breath in.
As you focus and slow your breathing, recall a phrase, word or scripture that rings true for you. Allow yourself to breathe in the peace of knowing this to be fully and undoubtedly true. Perhaps you think of “God is love,” “I am known,” or “God’s ways are good.” Savor a moment of assurance and calm, in the midst of wherever you have been or are headed on this day.
Gradually bring your breath back to it’s normal rhythm and read Psalm 46 aloud:
Psalm 46 NIV
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth.A song.
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
If this exercise was difficult for you, or you’d like another tool to help prompt you to practice deep breathing in the future, check out this quick video! Just Breathe
About the Author
Britni is a quiet but fearless spirit who is earnestly seeking the beauty of the redemption that Jesus has personally determined for her life. Committed to the truth that listening breeds understanding and understanding results in compassion, she clings to the power of life’s stories. She has embarked on the venture of discovering her own story and lending an ear to the stories lived out in others and savors the trace of Jesus that is woven throughout them all. Currently, that journey has landed her in a balancing act between the role of wife, momma, and a mental health Care Coordinator.