Why the BIG sigh?

I have a quirk that drives my grandchildren bonkers and keeps me buoyant.

I sigh. I sigh a lot. Sigh. Sigh.

Clearly, I sigh more than I am consciously aware of. But I’ve noticed that whenever my sighing is brought to my attention – “Yiayia, why the big sigh?” – I’m usually taking big deep breaths and even bigger deeper exhales for a good reason!

I sigh rather than raise my voice and my blood pressure! 

First I breathe in, rapidly, inhaling reality, acknowledging the present situation – the current challenge – which usually involves a squabble over who gets to start the word game, the boardgame, any game first, shuffle or deal the playing cards, or ice the cake that’s just come out of the oven, or a confrontation about who gets to clear the table, wipe the counter, stack the dishwasher, or a clash of wills, “But Yiayia, you promised we would go to Bay World next time and have an ice-cream” when, of course, I said no such thing!

I hold my breath for a moment. Sometimes longer.

Then I breathe out, slowly and deeply, exhaling and letting go of my initial response – annoyance, frustration, disappointment, irritation. Letting it out. Out. Out. Letting it go. Go. Go.

Sighing is my way of grounding myself in the moment, processing whatever is going down, ‘getting over it’, and regaining momentum.

Apparently, women with significant others and/or children and grandchildren sigh a lot more than their solo sisters because there are a lot more needs, wants, preferences, demands and wills to be synchronised. Sigh!

Why the big sigh? Why the big sigh? Do you feel you need to clarify? No, actually I DON’T!

So, should you or I feel the need to sigh today, let’s go ahead and breathe slowly and deeply. Breathe expressively. Without guilt. Without reserve. Sigh with verve. Sigh with pleasure. Sigh some more. It’s helpful to breathe expressively! I’m almost sure I can hear you, too.

Words may be false and full of art; Sighs are the natural language of the heart. (Thomas Shadwell)

Of course, there are times when I am overwhelmed, when I don’t seem to have the capacity to sigh and let go, let alone know what to think or even what to pray. It is so comforting to know that we have a helper, especially at times like this. “We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words.” Rom 8:26 AMP

Dear God,

Your hope fills my soul with such inward consolation and joy that I can laugh while tears are in my eyes, sigh and sing all in the same breath. I call it “Rejoicing in Hope.” My steadfast trust and unswerving hope is found in You. Thank you that you will never never leave me or forsake me. Even at my worst you help me, your Spirit praying on my behalf. Thank you that your promises are always Yes and Amen in Christ. Yes. Yes. Amen. Amen.

Do you ever find yourself sighing?

What is the unspoken message of your sighs?

What does it mean to you to know that the Holy Spirit, who know us and our needs, prays on our behalf even in our deepest sighs and groans?