All Praise to YHWH

A verse I was reading jumped off the page to me recently: 

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.  If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.  But someone who falls alone is in real trouble."  Another version says, "Woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up."  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

The more I thought about this verse, the more I thought of how much we need each other.  We weren't meant to travel down life's pathway alone.  Two are definitely better than one.  We can help and support each other.

But in order to do that, we have to be open and vulnerable with each other.  That's not always easy.  I can't tell you how many times I've sat at my computer keyboard typing an update and wondered about sharing my needs.  It's not always easy to open up our hearts and lives to others.

And dozens of times after I've shared, I've sat here feeling so vulnerable and exposed.  It can almost feel raw after you share your need!

But, at the same time, I know I wouldn't have made it all these years if I hadn't vulnerably shared my needs and asked for prayer.  "Woe" it would have been to me if I hadn't asked for help and support.

Monday was Valentine's Day.  I was reflecting on this verse.  I thanked the Lord that all the dear ones that have carried me in prayer are my "valentines."  I’m so grateful.

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."  Galatians 6:2

"This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you."  John 15:12

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."  Philippians 2:4

"A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."  Proverbs 11:25

I couldn't have made it on this journey alone!  I am so thankful for each one who has helped carry my burdens, looked out for my interests, loved me, been generous to me and encouraged me.   

Something else that has really ministered to me very deeply this week is something a friend shared...

"There was a moment when Moses had asked God what his name is. God was gracious enough to answer, and the name he gave is recorded in the original Hebrew as YHWH.

Over time we’ve arbitrarily added an “a” and an “e” in there to get YaHWeH, presumably because we have a preference for vowels. But scholars and rabbis have noted that the letters YHWH represent breathing sounds, or aspirated consonants. When pronounced without intervening vowels, it actually sounds like breathing. YH (inhale): WH (exhale).

So a baby’s first cry, his first breath, speaks the name of God. A deep sigh calls His name – or a groan or gasp that is too heavy for mere words. Even an atheist would speak His name unaware that their very breathe is giving constant acknowledgment to God. Likewise, a person leaves this earth with their last breath, when God’s name is no longer filing their lungs.
So when I can’t utter anything else, is my cry calling out His name?

Being alive means I speak His name constantly.  Is it heard the loudest when I’m the quietest?
In sadness, we breathe heavy sighs. In joy, our lungs feel almost like they will burst. In fear we hold our breath and have to be told to breathe slowly to help us calm down. When we’re about to do something hard, we take a deep breath to find our courage.

When I think about it, breathing is giving him praise. Even in the hardest moments!
This is so beautiful and fills me with emotion every time I grasp the thought. God chose to give himself a name that we can’t help but speak every moment we’re alive. All of us, always, everywhere. Waking, sleeping, breathing, with the name of God on our lips."  (This has been widely shared, even sung about, but I have been unable to find the original source.) 

I have been thinking about this for days.  In my weakest moments during my cancer treatment, when I had such bad mouth sores that I couldn't speak or eat - my very breath was calling His name.

When I was close to leaving this world after complications from a major surgery - my faint breathing was calling His name.

When Floyd was passing from earth to heaven, the nurse said he took a deep breath in and out and was gone.  His last breath on earth was calling the name of His beloved Lord.

Every husband and wife, son and daughter, brother and sister, friend and neighbor - every one that we are praying for - they are continually breathing His name and are closer than they realize to their Maker.

Even as we sleep, we are "speaking" His name and our lips are praising Him.

I am in awe that God made us and planned us this way.  How awesome!

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord."  Psalm 150:6

"My mouth will declare the praise of the Lord."  Psalm 145:21

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."  Psalm 139:14

Thinking of this has made me aware that He was closer than I even knew on our unexpected journey.  I've often said that He's only a whisper away - so incredibly true as we whisper His name with every breath.  I am so grateful!  All praise to YHWH!