Every Breath’s a Gift – Great Are You, Lord – All Sons and Daughters

Photo Credit: MVFC1

In a few days, it will be a year since this non-smoker received a lung cancer diagnosis (Stage One, fortunately). Over these last several months, breath and breathing have become something very precious to me. You can tell when you search my blog archives for either topic. We take breathing so for granted, even when we acknowledge that every breath’s a gift. That rhythmic rise and fall in our chest that strengthens and refreshes us. Breathing just happens.

Until it doesn’t.

There have only been two times as an adult that I couldn’t get my breath. The first was eight months ago (you can read about it here.) The second time was less than 48 hours ago.

For the second time in my life, I was surprised, just before bedtime, by a rapid and terrifying development of shortness of breath and quickly got to the place that Dave had to call 911. He was still talking to the dispatcher when we heard the sirens.

So thankful for our local fire department and rescue squad.

We live in a quiet neighborhood, and most of the residents are older. The rescue squad shows up often here, and, of course, no one wants to be the one on the receiving end of their excellent care. Every time it happens, a neighbor or two stand sentinel in the road watching and hoping for a good report. While the rescue squad was getting me stabilized and Dave was waiting in his car to follow to the hospital, he would tell me later of a neighbor standing in the shadows. Not wanting to intrude but standing watch. It’s a comforting thing.

From the first hours in the emergency room through the next two days in the top floor ICU, I received excellent and thoughtful care at St. Mary’s Hospital. The crisis was averted, and the testing began again to determine the cause. The same testing that was done eight months ago. The findings were not so much different as they were the first time it happened. Maybe they were taken more seriously with it happening twice. Anyway, I am now in the care of a cardiologist with some meds on board that will hopefully help me NOT to go through this experience again.

To go from thinking you’re going to die to feeling pretty much as well as ever, within hours, is a strange and wondrous experience. We will all die one day, so it doesn’t always end as it did for me these two times of not being able to get my breath. For this, today, I am so grateful to God for breath…and I am reminded it is His to give.

The song Great Are You Lord beautifully presents this truth. The band All Sons & Daughters introduces the song in this way:

“Worship is when we give God His breath back.”

Tonight, still fresh from the frightening experience of two nights ago, I give God His breath back in praise. So thankful for a husband who acted quickly for me when I couldn’t, for trained professionals and volunteers, for watchful neighbors, for kids who show up (physically and in prayer), for praying friends and family, for all the many employees at St. Mary’s (including my own youngest son) who were kind in their care …for all of this I’m grateful.

Most of all I am so very thankful for the God who gives us breath.

I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the LORD: “Please, LORD, save me!” How kind the LORD is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! The LORD protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me. Let my soul be at rest again, for the LORD has been good to me. Psalm 116:1-7, NLT

Would you worship with me, as I am home once more, praising God for His healing and for His helpers?

You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord

It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only

You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord

All the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord*

*YouTube Video – Great Are You Lord – from All Sons and Daughters (Live) – written by: Jason Ingram, Leslie Jordan, David Leonard

Story Behind the Song – Great Are You Lord – from All Sons and Daughters

Worship Wednesday – Beneath the Waters (I Will Rise) – Hillsong – Deb Mills Writer

16 thoughts on “Every Breath’s a Gift – Great Are You, Lord – All Sons and Daughters”

  1. Thanking our Lord you are feeling better. Asking that your doctor will be guided by Him also.

  2. I did not know! Prayers and all my love! His plan was to keep you here for all of us that are blessed to call you friend! You are an encourager even when you need the encouragement!

    1. Karen, thanks so much. You sure encourage me. Great to know you are praying, and that His plan includes each one of us in it. Grateful! For your friendship as well.

  3. Dear sweet Deb, I didn’t realized untill today that you had lung cancer a year ago. I am so glad you are so much better! I pray to God for your complete healing. I want will continue to pray for you! Love you, Margaret Cowan

    1. One year. So much opportunity in an experience like that to see what a treasure life itself is…not to be clutched tightly but to give away. I’m learning. More and more thankful every day for what God brings our way. Even the hard things seem ripe with possibility with a deeper walk with God and those we love…and some we don’t so much. 🙂 So thankful for you in my life.

  4. Dear Debbie, I am so sorry I have been so unaware of all of this. I only check Fb when necessary, or if I haven’t been in touch with my sons for a while. I really dislike the whole social media thing, so I usually just get on, update a few things and get right off. I haven’t had the time to really read through things like I should, but I am very motivated now to do more of this. Just knowing that you have gone through such a trial as this makes me want to spend more time reading yours and other people’s stories to so I can better pray for them ( and you). I am so glad you are doing better and I will be praying that remains. We just lost another dear person in our life, so I don’t want to take anyone for granted anymore. We love you and your family. Many continued blessings and love, Sharon

    1. Sharon, I saw that recently on Glen’s FB. So sorry. As we get older, we seem to confront more losses – either our own health-related ones or those loved ones older than us. Thanks for your comment, and especially thank you for your heart. Much love.

    1. wa ana aktar. Thanks, Heba. Your friendship has been one of God’s sweet gifts to me for a lifetime…Love you forever.

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