breathing

The ability to breath is an incredible thing. Truly. Yet, when was the last time you stopped to think about it? Isn’t it amazing that something so central to life…something so central to every second of our existence can remain so far from our thoughts?

I have found a new appreciation for breathing-sounds funny, right? My attention and conscious thought was drawn to the act of breathing all last week…consequently I am more grateful and aware of it.

Monday of last week started like any other day but about half way through I noticed a pressure on my chest. It felt as though someone was sitting on me and my body responded in spasms of pain if I dared breathe too deeply. I remember thinking that it was a very odd thing but tried not to spend too much time on the issue. The pain and pressure persisted on and off throughout the week. I had been hoping that it was just a weird fluke thing and that it would take care of itself.

Thursday evening came around and I was scheduled to start a brand new class. Not a new course, mind you, a new class- 16 brand new to English 3-5 year olds. With 15 minutes left to go, I turned to my TA and told her that I could not finish as my breathing had gotten to the point of short gasps accompanied by tremendous pain.

I called a friend who picked me up and took me to the hospital. While there they did an x-ray and EKG, both of which yielded nothing. I returned home very discouraged and in a lot of pain. Three of my housemates were sitting around the kitchen table and quickly sat me down to be prayed over. During the prayer time, I experienced significant release in my chest and was able to breathe much more deeply than I had in hours.

We prayed for about an hour and then went to bed. That night was rough. I hardly slept and any little movement sent my back, chest and sides into spasms. Two of my housemates came into my room early, sat with me and prayed. Within about an hour’s time, there were 10 people in my room. Ten beautiful people who had come to pray healing over me. After we prayed for a bit someone said that they felt the need to worship so what did we do? We went and grabbed the keyboard from Audrey’s room and had a worship service right there and then in my room 

Essentially, I think the chest pains were a panic attack like I have never experienced before. Through the prayers and petitions of my beautiful brothers and sisters, those both physically present and present in spirit, I was freed. I went from being bed-ridden, hardly able to move…to within a matter of hours, showering and going out for lunch.

Isn’t that what the church is all about?
People gathering together to call on the power and authority of the Lord.
People living life alongside one another.
People being healed.
People being freed.
More of the Kingdom of Heaven being brought to earth.

So…breathing. I am a fan.

And this Easter I awoke with a new gratitude for resurrection. Last week felt like a slow death, but the body of believers that surrounded me embodied Jesus. They called me out of death and into new life.

He has risen.
He has risen INDEED.

Grace and peace and the third way,
Kait