The words were before me in a version I do not read regularly:
“God hasn’t invited us into a disorderly, unkempt life but into something holy and beautiful – as beautiful on the inside as the outside.” (1 Thessalonians 4:7, MSG)
They stayed with me for days as we began to prepare for a vacation. It was becoming increasingly obvious to me that rest was needed. It seemed almost like someone had flipped a switch and my life went from feeling orderly and routine to heavy and unmanageable.
And the Scripture kept reminding me that this was not the way it should be.
My days were being managed by factors other than myself or my choosing and any semblance of order seemed to have disappeared. I had not even seen it coming or developing.
It was a small request, one I could easily have managed, that broke it wide open for me. In that split second, I knew I could not do the “one more thing”. The moment rushed on me as I spoke the words, “No, I cannot do it. I cannot handle another thing.”
We can slip from able, capable, and responsible to fragile and fragmented very quickly if we do not pay attention to our heart’s cry. It is easy to ignore or push aside the inner cry that craves times of rest, quiet, and to just – be.
Our love for family, friends, and God’s people can push us to keep on going and doing. But at what cost?
God calls us to tend to ourselves. Many have called it “self-care” and I have often viewed that as being rooted in selfishness or a preoccupation with ourselves.
We care for ourselves on the outside. We are careful to shower, blow drying our hair until each strand falls into place. We put on our makeup with extra care. We take a last glance in the mirror to be certain our clothes fit us well and our shoes match.
But in reality, God calls us to “soul-care”. We need to tend to our souls, the part of us that we offer to others on a daily basis. Perhaps this is the most beneficial thing we can do both for ourselves, and for those around us.
We need those times to “be” still, for it is then we allow God to care for us – restoring, redeeming, and reviving our souls.
Soul-care.
The way to be as “beautiful on the inside as the outside.”
Today I am joining … Porch Stories and Tell His Story andĂ‚Â Coffee For Your Heart and Woman to Woman and Recharge Wednesday and Writer Wednesday .
I love this definition of soul-care! (And doesn’t The Message just give such great insights sometimes?)
This is definitely an area of life where I need to do some work.
Thanks, friend.
Yes, The Message truly does bring insight at times. This was surely one of those times! I am a slow learner as well in this area, Michele, but at least we are learning 🙂
I love when God plants a thought in my mind and then I come somewhere else and that same message is echoed. This morning I was reading a thread on Twitter about self-care and how that’s intertwined with Sabbath and how some people take advantage of the term “self-care” to justify things. Anyway, you’re right about “soul-care” being important. Also? Have you heard Hillary Scott’s song “Still”? It’s so good and right along with your message here today. Thanks for sharing this at #PorchStories. xoxo
No I have not heard that song. But you always make wonderful song recommendations, so I will go check that out 🙂 Thanks!
Love your definition of “soul-care.” It’s true that if we are stressed inside it’s bound to come out on the outside sooner or later!
Thank you, Jerralea. Yes, we can only keep it contained for so long. We become like pressure cookers. May we tend to our souls and not get to that point. Blessings!
I sure need to tend to my soul, or nothing is right!
Sarah, you have so said it = nothing is right if we do not tend to our souls. May we be wise in this!
Soul Care – exactly. We all need it and I am so glad you recognized it and cared for it!
Susan, I am a slow learner but I am getting there 🙂 Thank you for your kindness and concern! xo
Joanne,
I get this: “We can slip from able, capable, and responsible to fragile and fragmented very quickly if we do not pay attention to our heart’s cry.”
I’m so glad you were able to practice soul care. It has taken me a long time to learn it isn’t selfish but wise stewardship. Pray your vacation is full of soul rest and all good things, my friend 🙂
Dolly, I have so enjoyed connecting with you. Well seeing as I am currently learning that soul-care isn’t selfish, I think that means I join you in saying it has taken me a long time to learn. I love the way you have worded it – – – “wise stewardship”. It truly is. Our vacation was wonderful and it was good to return home!
What a beautiful definition of soul-care! I definitely needed this reminder, as I press forward with my word for the year of “stillness.” Thank you for sharing these encouraging thoughts. Blessings to you!
Bettie, I like your word, stillness. It is where we can hear the simplest hush. When we are completely with no motion, we are more aware of His Presence. Blessings!
“We can slip from able, capable, and responsible to fragile and fragmented very quickly if we do not pay attention to our heart’s cry. It is easy to ignore or push aside the inner cry that craves times of rest, quiet, and to just ”“ be.” This is what stood out to me, too! I had to have two “just be” days recently where I cleared the calendar and committed to nothing but quiet time alone with my Bible, walks outside, extra rest…it was so needed and so good!
Time to just “be” is so restorative. I just want to remember to take that time before I get my limit. And as an aside … your hair looks lovely and hopefully, easier to do 🙂