Daily Devotion:

Title: Ayuh

Date: September 13, 2012

After completing his tour of duty at the Brunswick Maine Naval Air Station, the man and his family returned to the state of Kentucky where he enrolled in medical school.  On earning his M.D., and having fallen in love with Maine, this ophthalmologist moved his family to Downeast*, Maine and joined an existing practice.

As part of the standard of care while examining the eyes of patients, ophthalmologists are required to inquire about the comfort level of their patients. In his first week of practice, this ophthalmologist asked a native down-easter, “Are you comfortable? Is this okay?” The Mainer replied with an inhale of breath, “Ayuh”. Having never heard this Maine-ism before, the doctor repeated his question. The native replied with another inspiration, “Ayuh”. The doctor became alarmed at the gasping sound. Unable to identify the sound, or diagnosis of this aliment, he dashed out of the examination room, found his partner and explained the situation saying, “I think my patient may be choking, or dying.” With both doctors in the examination room, it was clear to the partner that the patient was merely saying, “Yes”.

“Ayuh,” said with inspiration, or an intake of breath, is a colorful way of saying yes.

In Genesis 2:7**, the Bible says that when God created humankind God breathed life into them. The breath or spirit of God inspired them. A simple prayer could be saying “ayuh” or yes to God with each breath.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, we long to say yes to You.  Inspire us with Your breath, with Your spirit.  Amen.

Here’s a Thought: Say yes to God.

Sources:

*Downeast, or Down East, Maine: "Down East" can be best described as any point on the coast between Searsport [Maine] and the Canadian border. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_East

**Genesis 2:7 ~ “The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (NIV)