All year I waited to sing at the Annual Conference in The Woodlands. 2 weeks before…pneumonia.I could not believe it. How about a cold, a sinus infection, or even a virus…but pneumonia? Also, a beautiful “We are Family” women’s conference with Kerri Crocker and Deborah Harter…I couldn’t make it. As I laid in bed at night, I was beside myself. Scriptures everywhere, Bible open, searching for answers as to why? As Kerri called me from the stage to allow the women to say “hello” my heart was both joyful and tearful at the same time. I wanted to be there, to see their faces, to see what the Lord was doing in their hearts. I felt such sorrow. It’s such a joy to GO with the Lord and I was missing it…

A few weeks later, I made it to conference in Houston, barely, and as Kerri and I rehearsed, realized I could not sing. I just didn’t have the air I needed in my lungs. We opened up the sword of the spirit and began to battle. It was time to apply all the Lord had taught us! Shortly after the Lord spoke clearly to me “you are not here to sing, but to deliver a message.” In my humanness (is that a word?-flesh), I argued a good 12 hours before He sent a messenger to my hotel room to tell me I was not receiving the call God was placing upon me. Confused -but knowing what I had to do I got out of the bed and only by the grace of God made it with Kerri to the concert. She and the others sang beautifully and I, with tears and little breath, delivered the message God had given me.

Exhausted, we headed for home the next morning. I went immediately to the doctor when I arrived home and spent the next days trying to regain strength. It was a slow process. Very slow! One day I was better, the next I was not. In the midst of struggle, the Lord always seems to birth a song from my heart showing sometimes more than I want to, but He continues to call for transparency in my walk. As I read the Psalms, I see countless times when David was overwhelmed with sorrow. But I am always encouraged that JOY COMES IN THE MORNING and victory does come.

May you find courage in these words and a sister who knows how you feel regardless of what your circumstance is. Know that in ONE BREATH He calms your storms and stops the waves or sends comfort for the journey. As I was recovering, I would walk around the house singing this song to the Lord…. And yet again another victory for my journal. A storm that is now a faded memoryJ

I

Breathe on me

When I am weak

Breathe on me

When I need strength

Breathe on me

Oh help me see

Breathe on me

When my battle’s fiercely fought

When I just can’t seem to hold him off

Breathe on me

When my body’s bruised and worn

When it seems that I can stand no more

Breathe on me

When fear comes and overwhelms

And my mind becomes unsound

Breathe on me

When chaos toils and breeds

And confusion stakes its claim

Breathe on me

Breathe on me

When I am weak

Breathe on me

When I need strength

Breathe on me

Oh help me see

Breathe on me

Oh help me stand and boldly face

The evil one, a soldier’s way

Full Armor intact

A shield of faith, a swift drawn sword

He will flee, and fight no more

Breathe on me

When I am weak

Breathe on me

When I need strength

Breathe on me

Oh help me see

Breathe on me

(audio for Breathe on me…no music just fresh from the Lord-click to hear and worship)

Breathe On Me

Ah Lord, thank you for breathing on me, on us. For knowing the answers, for seeing our pain even when it’s seems so trivial to the world. For allowing us to know a God that adores us. For taking my burdens and bottling my tears. I must have a closet all of my own up there just for those. Whether pain or joy, I wouldn’t trade one tear for it always draws me to yourself. You can have all the “stuff” that surrounds “the call,” for you alone are enough.

Love Much,

Shelly