COVID-19 … Thoughts from A Respiratory Therapist

“As a respiratory therapist, since the very first time I heard this song I resonated with it.  I am an awful singer, but I sing a loud joyful noise unto the Lord when I hear this tune!  I have watched people for a lifetime take their last breath, and often wonder what was between their first breath and their last breath.  Wishing I had more time to know about their in-between.  People are not taking their breaths for granted these days.  Whether it is the sick or those having to wear masks, people are concentrating on their breath.  We are given our breaths to pour out His praise.  Some days we are just better at that than others.  Like you, this past month I have no words mostly for what we have seen at the hospital.  And wish I had taken notes along the way, but it feels often as if you’re shellshocked and don’t want to focus any extra minutes on what you’ve been through.”  Jean Sanders, Respiratory Therapist, my Sister in Christ, and my friend.

Jean’s text was so worth sharing, that I sent the entire text to a number of people, one of whom was Cathi.  Her response was this:  “Such a wonder song, so appropriate for her work and essence of our being – OXYGEN!   Which is the gift of Life.  So, I’ve been thinking about the breath of life – the first at birth, then the breath of the Holy Spirit that brings eternal life, which is beyond my comprehension – then no fear for the last breath in this flesh.  Yahweh – you inhale the first syllable – that’s God who is the giver of life.  So you don’t even have to voice Yahweh – inhale “Yah” and exhale “weh” and just focus on His life in you!

It’s friends, encouragements, and songs like these, that daily remind me of Who it is that holds me in the palm of His hand, and who is intimately involved in every single detail (and breath) of my life.  Thanking God this morning for that Truth, and for these friends.