May is one of the craziest months in my life.  With all of the end-of-the-year celebrations, the graduations, getting my yard ready, preparing for summer, etc etc, life just seems to take on a life of it’s own.  It seems like I am constantly running from one thing to another.  Often it is during the craziest of times in my life that I act out in ways that aren’t beneficial for myself or for those around me.  Perhaps it is an angry tone that I give my kids after they have asked me the 100th time if they can do something, or the irritation that I show when I pass that slow driver, or the way that I act when someone asks me to join them for another event that I can’t get into my already-packed schedule.   The hurry hurry just turns me into someone that I don’t really like and that person that I become is not a good representation of who I really want to be.  Can you relate?

Lately, the Christian radio stations have been playing this wonderful song called “Breathe” by Jonny Diaz.  It is a wonderful Christian song that speaks to the craziness that often happens in our lives and how we forget to “just breathe” and let God fill us. The lyrics say “Breathe, just breathe. Come and rest at My feet. And be, just be. Chaos calls but all you really need is to take it in, fill your lungs with the Peace of God that overcomes, just breathe.  Let your weary spirit rest, lay down what’s good and find what’s best, just breathe.”  It reminds me of the verse in the Psalms, “be still, and know that I am God!”

What would our lives look like if, during this hectic busy time where we are running around trying to do end-of-the-year things, we would make time to be still and just breathe?  What would our impact be like if in the chaos and anxiety times we would just breathe in God’s spirit into our lives?  What difference could we make, not only in our own lives, but in the lives of those around us if we chose to set aside time to just be with God before we start running with our schedule?  I am pretty sure that peace would rule more often in our lives, that goodness would flow out, and that we would live the lives that God has called us to live… lives of love and grace for others.  So during the month of May, will you join me and “just breathe”? Let us set aside time to be still and let goodness and love flow from us as we fill out lives with God’s peace.