Breathe

Gardenias release their heady scent and brighten the moon-washed garden.  Magnolias perfume the earth.  A hint of jasmine floats on the breeze and flows over us like a soothing balm.  We inhale the healing fragrance from God as if to capture the consolations of creation. Through the scents of the garden, God reminds us to breathe.

It seems unimaginable that we could forget this most primal function, but we do.  Our breath becomes shallow when we grieve, when we worry, whenever life overwhelms us.  We hold our breath, denying ourselves the blessing it brings--renewal, peace, relief.  Perhaps that is why the most ancient form of prayer is breath prayer.  When we breathe deeply, we reconnect with the breath of God and the life force given to us at birth.    When we breathe deeply, we clear the way for God’s healing grace and release all that gets in the way.  When we tend to our breath, our breath becomes our prayer.

The rose blooms.  Honeysuckle seeks the sun. Through the scents of the garden, God reminds us to breathe.  Through the scents the garden, God reminds us to pray.

Reflections:

"In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." (Job 12:10)

“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”~John Burroughs

Practice:

Let the scents of spring be a reminder of God’s faithful presence. Let the fragrances of spring be a reminder to pray.  Breathe in all that is of God.  Breathe out all that is not. Let your breath become your wordless prayer. 

A special note to friends and neighbors affected by April tornadoes and all who have experienced natural disasters:  We grieve, not only for lives lost, but for the damaged earth.  Find a place nearby where you can be still in the beauty of creation, and remember that even as you are reading this, the earth is renewing itself.  Let the earth give comfort.  Remember to breathe.