Did you ever think about how many you share oxygen with during the week? Some weeks the number is higher than others. This has been one of those weeks!
On Sunday we were with my in-laws in the Thumb of Michigan. We worshipped with them at their little Lutheran church. In that small space we shared oxygen with about a hundred people — among them were a former college classmate, two additional relatives, and a young woman who is looking for her first job after college.
On Monday I got to share oxygen with an eye doctor who is doing his fellowship at the University of Michigan, a nurse, and a cornea specialist. Then, I was able to share food and laughter with several of my husband’s coworkers.
Tuesday I had the blessing of inhaling hope at my physical therapist’s office, exhaling stress at the gym, and then breathing calmly over a table at a library where I leaned in with two students — a woman from Romania who is studying to become a nurse and a man from China who is an automotive engineer.
Wednesday the sweet aroma of my Bible study battalion filled me up before I headed to meet three more students — all children of Indian professionals, eagerly breathing and learning with me.
Thursday, back at the gym, I panted and sweat among many I do not know. Then, I was refreshed by sharing space with my chiropractor and his office manager before I headed to meet another student — a Chinese man who shared the aroma of my tea and his goals for improving his English.
This morning, my dog and I are sharing space and oxygen. We are snuggled in together on the futon. He’s been patient with me as I have read my Bible study, chatted on Facebook, and responded to emails. He knows that in a while I will leave him so that I can sit beside two more students this afternoon — an International college student and an American high school student.
Then tomorrow I will be surrounded again at the gym before I share space, ideas, and air with, first, a Jamaican woman and , then, an Indian young man.
Many times throughout the week, my husband and I have sat side-by-side, often exhausted after very full days, breathing deeply, drinking in each other’s quiet company.
I’ve shared a lot of oxygen this week. And in all of my encounters, I have not had one single conflict. I have not felt betrayed. I have not been abused. I have not been taken advantage of. I have not been intimidated or afraid. Rather, I have been encouraged, inspired, enriched, and blessed.
It’s worth noticing, don’t you think? It’s worth reporting on a life so blessed.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Psalm 150:6
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