Friday 4 May 2018

Breathless

Breathe on me breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love what Thou dost love,
and do what Thou wouldst do.                                    Edwin Hatch
                                                                                         Hymn writer


I have been silent on the ether for a day or two, and there is a reason. Since last Sunday side effects of surgery and medication have given me some challenges. Sleep patterns totally disrupted, and stomach feelings of full and empty at the same time (weird!). But also shortness of breath which has increased as the week progressed. Consequently, I attended hospital yesterday for some routine tests and x-rays and was promptly admitted ( like immediately and without question) due to some alarming initial observations.

Last night the opinion seemed to be that I had contracted pneumonia. Today, however, it looks more likely that the fluid on the lungs is connected to my heart condition. The good news (yes, there is always good news if we look for it) is that the lungs are responding to treatment and, if the cardiologists agree with the lung specialist, I can be home fairly soon. I am already breathing much better and cleaner.

I have latched on to the "pneumonia" word and decided to re-interpret it for the time being. Both the Hebrew word 'Ruach' and the Greek word 'Pneuma' indicate breath, hence I guess the origin of pneumonia. But both words can also mean wind, soul or spirit. Following through on this, I am presently seeing pneumonia as the spirit, and more precisely the Spirit of God, in me. Whatever might be clearing up in my lungs, I see the Spirit of God active, and not just in my lungs but in the whole of me.




Lord, Mighty God,
I invite You to breathe on me with Your most Holy Spirit. From the lungs I call forth healthy breath, and I speak health and well being into every part of my body. Once again, I am assured of Your presence with me, and I freely give myself into the fullness of Your will. Hallelujah!       Amen.

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