Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150: 6, NASB)
Psalm 150 is introduced as a “Psalm of Praise.” Indeed, each line speaks in some way of praising God. This is something that I can still do, even with ALS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Breathing is a special interest item for me. Since the diaphragm is a muscle, with ALS it’s subject to gradual weakness followed by failure. After diagnosis, my neurologist always asked how my breathing was going. For a long while it was fine. I was assigned to a pulmonologist at the local VA hospital. He prescribed a BiPap machine, and the idea was to wear it at night. It was to help me breathe, resulting in less fatigue during the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over time, I found I needed the machine during parts of the day as I would get winded. When I was relying on the BiPap almost full time, we agreed it was time for a tracheostomy. Since I received the trach (20 months ago), I have had an incident of respiratory failure (ended up in the emergency room) and had several cases of oxygen deprivation (hypoxia). I’m now breathing full time with a ventilator. Suffice it to say, whereas before all this I took breathing for granted, these days it has my undivided attention!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Bible verse above lets us know who should praise the Lord. When I wake up in the morning and come to my senses, and realize I’m breathing, I think of this verse, then spend some time praising the Lord. Why? Because of Who He is! And because I can! I stand on His promises to me and I have to praise Him. I think of the words to the hymn “How Great Thou Art.” When Sue opens the blinds in my room, I think through “When Morning Gilds the Skies.” God likes it when His people praise Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the crowds showered Him with praises. Some Pharisees in the throng thought it was wrong for Him to accept worship, and told Him to rebuke the crowd. But Jesus replied that if the people wouldn’t praise Him, then even the stones would cry out. I don’t know about you, but I’m not going to be outdone by a bunch of rocks! God likes it when His people praise Him!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you’re breathing, praise the Lord! There is hope in His name!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Worship: Psalm 150, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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