Pastor Lucy's Message
(August 2026)
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Just Breathe...some summer thoughts on the importance of breathing
Over the last month or so I've received many reminders to be patient with myself, to give myself time when need it—to feel grief, to see beyond it, to notice the strength I have to see hope. And these reminders have been helpful (and so has the patience I have received as take the time) in so many ways. They are definitely helping me as I grieve but also as I continue to deal with the busy-ness of life. We often think of summer as a time when life slows down. And it does when we take time for vacations, retreats and fun at cabins and campgrounds. But I also think summer brings its own kind of unique hectic schedule. We go and leave our houses more, visit with friends or family (or have them visit us). Those with kids and grandkids know that there is nothing like the summer sport season added onto camp, swimming lessons, summer school, summer fun, summer jobs, etc. I'm already finding myself wishing that the routine of a new school year would be here sooner rather than later (and it will be only one more month!). So—summer as a time to slow down, that isn't the truth for everyone...l think in some ways we need more reminders, to breathe deep and find peace and rest. In the first creation story in Genesis chapter 1, verses 1 and 2 say, "When God began to create the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters." And then God used that breath to speak, "Let there be light." Light came into the world along with the darkness. And then God used God's breath and voice to speak creation into being—ordering and conquering the chaos that used to be. God's breath is powerful. In the second creation story in Genesis chapter 2 God also uses God's breath to create. Verse 7 says, "then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." in this story, humankind has the very breath of God—giving action and understanding to humanity. These two texts were the focus of one of the speakers at the ELCA's Rostered Ministers Gathering that I went to in Indianapolis, IN. The Rev. Dr. Theresa Smallwood reminded us that in each breath we take we can remember several things. We are incredibly close we are to God. God's breath is the breath that gives us life to our bodies and our souls. God's breath is powerful. It spoke creation into being and gives life to humankind. As sharers of God's breath, we have the power to be co-creators with God—to be part of God's change for the world—to be part of renewal and beginning a new—not only for ourselves but all the world. We are never far from the very essence of God. God's breath is powerful, indeed! Breath of God (A reminder of spirit) by poet Joe Davis
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