The Incorrect Use of Air

While driving around today, I found myself in a nice light mood in the midst of a busy schedule. This was primarily due to the positive music cranked up on my stereo, the sun radiating down through the sunroof, and the wind blowing my hair into a carefree mess. I remember thinking this was a nearly perfect moment. It didn't hurt that I had just finished up a delightful lunch at one of my favorite family-owned taco places, about a 20-minute drive east. Happy tummy, sunshine, music, wind, and a hint of the joy driving brings me. It was a good day.

As I was singing along with the lyrics to Great Are You, Lord, by Casting Crowns I was struck with the thought of how precious breath has become during this Covid-19 crisis. Many of us have taken breathing for granted, but this virus has created an appreciation like never before for so many. I began to sing along, "It's your breath, in our lungs, so we pour out our praise..."

I was reminded of a friend who challenged me two years ago to start walking more. I have a history of bronchitis and even walking pneumonia so I'm grateful for any winter I don't battle that. I was thinking that his push may have strengthened my lungs, and perhaps saved me from some breathing illnesses, as I haven't had any for the past two years. 

I also noticed I was able to really belt out the lyrics without feeling breathless. My heart turned my worship singing into a prayer of gratitude as I continued again with, "It's your breath, in our lungs, so we pour out our praise..."

Photo by Andraz Lazic on Unsplash

Then a bad driver interrupted me mid-sentence, mid-praise, mid-prayer. Suddenly the air (God's breath) in my lungs was being used in a different manner. Shall we call it, pointing out the error of the driver's ways? OK, it turns out the breath in my lungs can easily, and instantly be used to yell at people that cause an interruption to my driving. Yes, what they did was frustrating and no, I did not yell so they would know I was yelling at them. It was a quiet yell within my own vehicle. But wow, how quickly things can take a turn.

The thing is, it was still the same breath. Literally. I mean, I didn't even take in the next breath, I just changed out my words. Same air, but now used incorrectly. I wasn't proud of this but thought I can't be the only one. So, as usual, if it resonates with me I'll share it and hope it resonates with someone else also.

One More Thing...

Have you ever used the breath God gave you incorrectly? I already know the answer. But, I hope we can all feel a little challenged today to remember our purpose, and to use our breath for good.

Take care, and I'm always here to pray for you or listen if you have a need or request. You can reach out to me privately at loislynnflores@gmail.com or comment on this post.

Lois Lynn

Two Left Feet

“Dancing with the feet is one thing, but dancing with the heart is another.”

– Anonymous

“Dance for yourself, if someone understands good. If not then no matter, go right on doing what you love.”

– Anonymous

I have a good friend who used to be the children’s minister at our church. She can fully embrace the fun dance moves and arm gestures you often associate with kids and their musical programs. She looks fantastic doing it, she does not look ridiculous, and she enjoys it. I, on the other hand, can name a hundred things I’d rather do. A root canal comes to mind at the top of that list.

I don’t like to look ridiculous. I don’t want to be laughed at. I simply have no desire to participate in activities that make me look weird, even if I’m the only one who would see. If you haven’t seen the classic clip of the Elaine dance from Seinfeld, please go find it online. Jerry describes it as looking “More like a full-body dry heave set to music.” This is my fear if anybody ever saw me dance.

I grew up in a world without dancing so I don’t know how to allow myself to dance. I saw it on television with the Solid Gold Dancers and was charmed by Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Ginger Rogers, Cyd Charisse, and the others of that era. The church we attended believed dancing was wrong, and so I never danced. One of my biggest high school regrets was that I never attended a prom. Between you and me, I hope that fantasy may come true someday.

I love music, and I have a natural inclination for rhythm and drumming. There’s a lot of hand drumming going on when I hear my favorite songs playing and even a lot of toe-tapping. Rarely will I break out into dance.

Until last Thursday.

I was attending a 2-day virtual leadership conference when the second speaker came out dancing. Even though I was home alone, my initial response was a verbal, “Good grief! I can’t believe we’ve got people like this speaking.” I was so grateful I wasn’t in a group because they would have seen the stoic and reserved me judging this speaker as I sat in my chair unmoving.

She kept dancing. I was in my small home office, still in my jammies because this conference started hours before my usual morning start time when something came over me. I stood up and I danced my heart out. I knew nobody could see me. The day before, I had prayed, telling God I would be open to whatever was put in front of me. So, I danced. And I liked it.

SIDEBAR: We would come to learn she was using this as an illustration about our comfort zones. We learned about the Behavioral Inhibition System, which responds to risk and keeps us from acting. I was so afraid of what I would look like all these years, that I refused to dance.

As she continued to talk about fears, she challenged us to see them as opportunities instead of obstacles. At the end of her presentation, the music was queued again. We danced again. I’m still grateful nobody was watching, and I don’t think I could do it with others around but it was a huge step toward where I want to be.

Check out her website here - Michelle Poler

One More Thing...

Think about your fears. What are you missing out on in life because of them? I’ll leave you with her last question to us, “What would you get uncomfortable for?”

Take care, and I'm always here to pray for you or listen if you have a need or request. You can reach out to me privately at loislynnflores@gmail.com or comment on this post.

Lois Lynn