Uncle Pi3

HANDLE WITH CARE “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6 Living with ALS has changed the way I think about something most people rarely think about: Breathing. There was a time when I never celebrated taking a breath. I just breathed. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat. But life has taught me that some of God's greatest blessings become invisible because they happen every day. We often don't recognize the value of something until it becomes difficult to do, difficult to keep, or possible to lose. That's why I've learned to put a spiritual HANDLE WITH CARE label on the things God has entrusted to me. My life. My family. My relationships. My faith. My time. My opportunities. And yes, every breath. Sometimes we handle our blessings too casually. We kick around opportunities, neglect relationships, waste time, mistreat our bodies, and postpone telling people we love them because we assume tomorrow comes with a warranty. It doesn't. Something being available today doesn't guarantee it will be available tomorrow. I've discovered that gratitude grows when entitlement dies. When you realize something isn't promised, you stop treating it like it's ordinary. I don't want to wait until something is disappearing before I recognize that it was a gift. Maybe today you woke up worried about what you don't have. Pause. Take inventory of what you do have. You have another sunrise. Another opportunity. Another chance to forgive. Another chance to love somebody. Another chance to make a difference. Another chance to praise God. And if you're breathing while reading this, don't overlook the miracle happening right underneath your nose. Life can change quickly, so handle your blessings with care. Protect what matters. Appreciate what remains. Love people while they're here. Use your time wisely. And thank God for things you once considered ordinary. I've learned that every breath isn't merely something that keeps me alive. Every breath is another opportunity to live. And as long as God gives me another one, I'm going to make it count. Kerry Goode