APRIL DEVOTIONAL

Devotionals provide space in your day for thought and meditation. Join us for a quiet moment.

BREEZE

Consider the difference between ‘the wind’ and ‘the breeze’. The first is usually described in an active way, whistling at windows or whipping through trees. Whereas breezes filter in over cricket teas, bringing the aromas of cut grass and cucumber sandwiches with them. They might waft a net curtain or bring cool relief on a warm seaside day, but they’re certainly not going to ruin your day.

The first known use of ‘breeze’ as a noun was in 1626, and is thought to come from the Spanish brisa, meaning ‘the north-east wind’. But it was used as a verb before that, meaning ‘to move swiftly and airily.’ More recently, Americans have described anything simple or untroublesome as ‘a breeze’. We could all do with being a bit less tornado and a bit more breezy. Maybe there are ways you can welcome breeze into your life, too, as a gentle bringer of change, fresh air and soothing cool.