EVERY BREATH IS A GIFT

During the [COVID 19] pandemic, a story went viral that touched millions of hearts. A 93-year-old Italian man recovered from Covid-19 and was given a hospital bill, including 500 euros for a day on a ventilator. As he read the amount, tears streamed down his face. The doctors rushed to comfort him, saying, “Sir, if this is too much, we can work something out.” But the man shook his head and said, “No, I’m not crying because I can’t pay the bill. I’m crying because for 93 years, I’ve breathed the air God gave me—free of charge. And I’ve never stopped to thank Him.”

How often do we pause to thank God for the things we don’t even notice? The air we breathe, the beauty of a sunrise, the laughter of a loved one—all of it is a gift. Genesis 2:7 says, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” The very breath in our lungs is a gift from the Creator of the universe. And yet, how easy it is to live life rushing from one thing to another, forgetting to stop and acknowledge the One who gave us life in the first place.

Psalm 150:6 says, “Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” That means as long as you’re breathing, you have a reason to praise God! It doesn’t matter what’s going on around you. Life may bring challenges, but the very breath in your lungs is a gift, a reminder of God’s goodness. When you choose to live with a heart full of gratitude, something incredible happens. Praise has the power to lift your spirit, renew your joy, and bring a fresh sense of hope into your life.

So, friends, start living each day with a heart of gratitude. Wake up every morning and thank God for another day. Before you go to bed, reflect on all the ways He showed up in your life that day. And when you feel overwhelmed by the stresses of life, pause and remember that every breath you take is a sign of His unfailing love, a love that carries you, sustains you, and fills you with hope for tomorrow.

Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan
December 1, 2024