I’ve been sighing all day long. In the last 18 hours, I’ve exhaled many times.
I exhaled when 47 minutes into a 5 hour drive, she asked, “where are we going?” for the 11th time.
I breathed out deep when our lunch-time detour took all four of us to unexpected river-front meal and a few minutes off the interstate did us all a little bit of good.
I exhaled down to my painted toenails when we drove across the rocky driveway of my parents, the same home I once drove away from for college– the home I love to go to sleep in and wake up in and drink coffee in and be someone’s kid in.
Two hours later and another short drive gave way to another familiar home. And the sweet family of two has become a family of three in just the last five days. And he’s perfect. And healthy. And so. very. small. And his parents overflow with all-of-a-sudden HUGE love and just a little bit of exhaustion. And I hold the tiny little image bearer in my arms and look up at her–his mama (!) and she did it! And he’s here! And we exhale together in unbelief and thankfulness. And the exhale squeezes out a few tears of utter and complete relief.
And it is SO good to exhale. And so needed. And I’m so in need of more of this in my life, in my summer.
I need less and less running and more of this stopping to notice the beautiful rhythm of the day.
Stopping to breathe in the gifts and breathe out the Thanks.
There are so many reasons to exhale all of this grace. So many reasons to be grateful. So much Thanks to give.
“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” –John 1:16
Beautiful post. I love how you use your words like an artist.
“I need less and less running and more of this stopping to notice the beautiful rhythm of the day,” reflects my feelings exactly.
I love the idea of breathing in the gifts and breathing out the thanks. I usually breathe in the worries, the problems, the tough stuff and exhale anxiety and frustration. Thank you for this good reminder. I need to look at my life right now differently, in light of His goodness and grace.
I love your imagery, and when you express the home where you want to be “someone’s kid.” There is safety in those words. Beautiful!
“Stopping to breathe in the gifts and breathe out the Thanks.” This. Love it!
So. GOOD. Love reading what you write. 🙂 Enjoy being a kid for a bit!
So sweet!! Love that we can breathe in His gifts, just as we breathe in His presence. Perhaps that’s the greatest gift of all. Great post, Cynthia!
Isn’t it wonderful that we can sometimes have the privilege of going ‘home’ to our parents (whether it’s the same house or a different one, it’s our parents that make it home 😉 )? I feel that way once a week when we have dinner and Survivor at my parents’ house.
Oh, yes, Cynthia, I need to do more exhaling of grace this summer, too! I love this thought, “Stopping to breathe in the gifts and breathe out the Thanks.” Yes, that’s what it’s all about. Glad you are in the company of friends and new life…that’s a gift like no other. Blessings to you this 4th of July weekend! xoxo, Meredith
New babies, family, home. What a wonderful way to spend your weekend. May you breathe and exhale in life giving, life supporting ways this weekend Cynthia. Enjoy!
“Stopping to breathe in the gifts and breathe out the Thanks.” Amen, my friend! Amen!
Love this !!! I don’t always think to breath out the thanks. No more often it is questions or complaints that pas my lips. Thanks for the little reminder
What a beautiful post! Your imagery makes me miss home and wish for simplier days. Thanks!