And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22 NIV

Jesus breathed His last upon the cross.
So the scriptures say.

But it wasn’t the last
He’d breathe again in three days’ time and for eternity.
Alive forever!
He then breathed
His Holy Spirit upon His disciples.

Thomas missed out.
Perhaps out buying groceries
Or tending to some important errand.
So he doubted what the others experienced.

Without the Divine breath of Jesus—
Without the Spirit of the living God—
Thomas found it difficult to believe
The miraculous, the improbable
Truth of the resurrection that took breath from death.

The Holy Spirit breathed deep and gave the breath of life
Without it is impossible for us to truly believe.
We are all doubting Thomases until He breathes in us His life.

Sometimes when stress descends
I forget to breathe deep.
When I am surrounded by unbelief, skepticism, and doubt,
It is easy to be caught up by suffocating doubt like Thomas.

Jesus didn’t leave Thomas to perish in his unbelief
He doesn’t leave us either.
Thomas said he wanted proof
Jesus supplied all the proof he needed…
And them some.

I do believe, Jesus, help my unbelief!
I pray earnestly and He Breathes.
He Breathes!
Breathe on me
Ignite a Holy Spirit consuming flame.

I breathe in Spirit
Exhale.
Leave worry and doubt, stress, and fear.

It’s not good to forget to breathe deep.
It’s like a river forgetting to flow downstream;
It will run dry and die.

We must­ breathe deep each day,
Each hour,
Each moment
Of the Spirit of truth.

Breathe deep.
Exhale all that holds you back.
Then breathe in again,
Inhale the grace of God
Who gives faith to those who believe.

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Linda L. Kruschke is the author of My Name Is Beloved, winner of the Unpublished Memoir category of the Oregon Christian Writers Cascade Writing Contest, as well as a self-published author of two poetry books. She is a wife, mother, active member of her church, former Bible Study Fellowship leader, and recovering lawyer. She works as the Director of Legal Publications for the Oregon State Bar. But her real passion is sharing God’s healing grace with others, especially those haunted by sexual trauma and abortion. She struggled with major clinical depression for many years, but through the power of forgiveness has become a fearless follower of Christ, living in the assurance of her salvation and God’s love. She blogs at Another Fearless Year and Broken Believers.