**I will be taking a blogging break until early-mid August. See you back here then!
Nearly half the year is gone now so it’s time once again to give more thought to my 2026 theme word breathe. The creative exercise of writing an acrostic is an excellent way for me to go deeper in my consideration of my theme word each year. Doing this helps me think of different aspects of the word and evaluate how I’ve been doing on applying it to my life.
As I remind myself of and reflect on breathe, I pray you are blessed and inspired to give yourself grace and breathe as well. And if you chose a theme word of your own this year, maybe this post will encourage you to do something similar with your word. Whatever your situation, friends, may you be blessed as you read!
Breathe
Bathe your spirit and soul in God’s love and peace instead of to-do lists and worries.
Rest for a moment and refresh yourself when you feel stress rising.
Enjoy the little things, the sights and sounds of nature, the little comforts of life.
Ask yourself how you can simplify—your schedule, your tasks, your responsibilities.
Take time to let God’s Word nourish and encourage you each day.
Hem your days in faith, hope, and love and your load will feel lighter.
Exhale demanding expectations and inhale grace, relief, and renewal.
“[The LORD says], ‘I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.’” Jeremiah 31:25 NIV
*What will you do to breathe and refresh in the coming days or months?
*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early August. Sign-up is FREE.
*For info about my books Christmas for the Heart: 25 Devotions Reclaiming the Beauty and Wonder of the Season and Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.
*Flickr photo by Fernando Sa Rapita; Creative Commons License