The Breath of Life

The Breath of Life

My friend, Sallie sent me a text right as I went in to evening worship. I knew that dad had gotten ill last week and had gone into the hospital last week and things had gotten very bad. The family had gathered at his bed. Her text read: “Please pray right now. They are removing the vent. He will hopefully pass quickly. Thank you. Sallie.”


I had heard the scripture in the two morning services, but this evening Genesis 2 took new meaning. God breaths into the creature just formed from the ground. The holy breath of life. A ventilator can keep oxygen going, but the holy breath is what brings life.


I knew as the service went on my friend’s father was breathing his last breath of this earth. I listened to my own breath as the musicians sang during the offering I prayed their words for Sallie and her family, inhaling and exhaling:


Light in my darkness, peace for my soul.
You are my rescue. You’ve never let go.
Light in my weakness, always the same.
Your love is my shelter. Your life is my way.


All my hope is in You. All my strength is in You.
With every breath, my soul will rest in You.
All my hope is in You. All my strength is in You.
With every breath, my soul will rest in You.


Constant Savior. Friend forever. Lord, You have my heart.
Sure foundation. Never failing. Lord You have my heart.


All my hope is in You. All my strength is in You.
With every breath, my soul will rest in You.
All the earth beneath You. All my life before You.
With every breath, my soul with rest in You.
With every breath, my soul will rest in You.


When I came out of worship an hour later I had another text. It read, “He is gone. And no longer in pain. Love you too. Sallie”