Maybe I'm drawn to soul care because my own soul desires to be drenched daily. When it isn't soaked, life too easily feels like a drought. Ever felt that way? I long to soak up God's word. Soak up good friends. Soak up making a difference. Soak up movement with intention. Soak up prayer time. Soak up God through good food and "mostly" good habits. Soak up every opportunity in this life to worship and be with God, to fill my soul because simply put, too many things try to drain my soul in this world. And, the sad part is that I often let them.
We'll start with the internet. I love connecting via social media. I do. I love seeing my childhood baby sitter or an old high school friend celebrate milestones I would otherwise not have witnessed. I long to sit in my pajamas with a hot cup of tea (even when there is work to be done) and read bold, beautiful, creative, smart writers share their own souls. Before Google Reader met it's demise, my daily reading list couldn't have been completed if it were my full time job. There is so much good stuff out there to soak up. And yet, it doesn't ever shut off. So, I start to drown and in turn I am drained. When I step back, I wonder if I'm missing something but more often than not, my thumb clicks and taps or my mouse hovers and just like that, I am back. Didn't miss much other than what an old college friend ate for breakfast. The feeling of "missing out" reminds me of a time as a little girl. My grandparents came for a visit and my parents sent me to bed while they were still chatting. I couldn't stand "missing out" on a word they shared. So, I laid on the floor of my bedroom with my ear to the crack under the door. It was muffled and I had a miserable night's sleep. Instead of embracing whatever memories we did share that night, I remember edging my ear to the door and waking up sore and miserable. The only thing I missed was a good night's sleep. Even the good things can drain our souls. My soul needs to be drenched, not drained. So this Holy Week, I am letting go of the distractions (even some of the good ones) with a desire to be drenched by God alone. This won't be a legalistic fast, just simply an opportunity to check in and make sure that I'm not missing out on Easter. I long to sit at the feet of Jesus and soak up all that is Holy this Easter. Will you join me? Let's get drenched. |
Whitney R. Simpsonauthor
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