I want to remember today. I want to circle it in red on my calendar. Program it into my phone. Set a reminder in my heart. Today. Is a good day. My soul has been fed. And perhaps not in the way you might expect.
You see, I discovered a few years ago that I have a deep need for all things creative (except for crafts. ha!). I need to move, sing, dance, write. Over the course of the last few months my severely malnourished soul has been fed a steady diet, and it’s thriving. I’ve been writing regularly for the past 3 months. I’m involved in a few clubs and courses that involve physical activity. My mind and heart have been fueled, stimulated and challenged by daily prioritizing time with my Best Friend. But this morning, my cup filled up past the brim, and it is overflowing.
Last night I joined a choir. I don’t know any of the songs, I barely know the language as it is instructed, lead, and sung all in Irish. And while I can speak it with relative ease, reading and understanding the poetic nature of lyrics is a whole different kettle of fish.
I spent two hours with a group of people singing in the most beautiful language ever. Using our bodies – mind, voice, ear, heart – to become unified and create something beautiful. The songs continued in my heart and mind overnight, weaving intricately into my dreams. I woke up with my soul full to the brim.
This morning I had just put the Man Cub down for a nap and went to the kitchen to tidy up and get dinner in the crock-pot. I put on some tunes and a song I had never heard before (even though we’ve had the album for years) came on and I couldn’t help but dance around my kitchen. I twirled and shimmied and grapevined around the table, all around the kitchen and living room. I danced. My cup nigh exploded.
Are you feeding your soul? Your soul food likely looks different to mine. However, I believe God instills in us all these needs and interests. Sometimes I fear we mistake holiness and Godliness for piety, stoic, quiet. While there is a time and place for these things, it was not a mistake that God filled me with such a need for music, dance, literature. And it’s not a mistake that the things that fuel your heart do so. He had a reason. And He has a reason for instilling your passions deep in your heart. What speaks to you? What makes you feel alive? What energizes you?
For some, it’s creative outlets, like mine. For others its time out in nature enjoying His creation. Maybe it’s solving a complex problem, using your higher level thinking and reasoning skills. Or perhaps building something; making or doing something tangible. Whatever it is, feed it!
I cannot express the level of my energy today. It’s a joy for me to load the dishwasher, fold clothes, make dinner, change diapers. I am fed. I am full. I am satiated. It’s OK to feed your soul! We’ve heard this before, over and over, that the more we care for ourselves, the better we can care for our families. Why don’t we do it??
And better yet, feed your soul with your family! Sing together. Write a family story. Go on a nature walk. Build a birdhouse. Pursue these things together. With your children. With your husband. Encourage them to find out what feeds their soul, and provide ample opportunities for it. Part of fulfilling His plans, calling and purpose for our lives is feeding, growing and developing the very things which He has ingrained in our hearts.
At times it seems the Christian culture has told us that if we enjoy something, it must not be of God. Dear friend, don’t let yourself be blinded by that lie! While I do not believe in the “if it feels good, do it” principle some embrace, I do believe He has given us interests, passions, outlets and needs in which He delights to see us enjoy! Jesus promised us that He came that we might have life, and have it to the fullest. What joy comes from living fully, through the power of Christ, embracing all that He has created us to be!
Feed. Your. Soul.
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Comments 36
LOVED this post girl. It’s amazing, as I’m learning, how when we are fed/full up 🙂 we enjoy life more. God is good. I want to “eat more bread” (the Word) and “drink more wine” (rest in Jesus’ redemptive work)- that’s from a new Bible study I’m doing called Duty or Delight. It sounds like God is your delight today and that makes me smile. I’m learning too….. hugs!
Author
Thanks, sweet friend!! I’m shocked at what a difference all that makes!
Loved this, Jen! I’m right there with ya! I recently realized that I NEED to be in nature to be spiritually fed. Every time we go for a hike, it gives me a high for days, and I finally realized that my soul feels closest to Him when I’m wondering at His creation. I just hadn’t realized how much being in a super mega-city all the time (which I really do enjoy!) was draining me in many ways. Trying to take more spiritual retreat time in the great outdoors!
Author
It’s so encouraging, and confirming, to hear others feeling the same way, learning the same things!!
YES. I know that feeling exactly. For me, the formula is a simple one — words, music, words, music. Writing, listening, reading, singing, dancing (also in the kitchen with no one but my kids & the neighbors watching). If i neglect those things, my self starves and my family suffers.
As a mom, I so often feel pangs of guilt for taking any “me time” — even when it’s 5 minutes or less. Thank you for the reminder that God created us with our needs and passions. They are not counter to his design but PART of it.
Sigh. I feel so much better. Thanks, friend.
Author
It does my heart good to hear you say that!! Thanks!!!!
How did you get a pic of me on the beach when I danced/ran to Enya? 🙂 Agreed on feeding your soul.
Author
Funnily enough, I thought of that when I was looking for a pic!! Ha!
You are so right! When my kids were younger I felt I had no time to feed my creative side – that it wasn’t a priority. It took me a long time to realize how much fuller life is when you embrace all of your loves, talents, and abilities. Congratulations!
Author
Thanks so much!! I’m sure I’ll have to relearn this lesson, like most other lessons, down the road. 😉
I love this. I think it is so important to do things that make you feel good and valuable. That is one of the reasons I love blogging. It give something back to me that I need.
Author
Yes, it was a huge gift to myself to give myself a venue to write. I’m so much happier since I started blogging!
This is such a great post!
Our outlet is definitely music. We sing, we dance (our kitchen floor would rival any dance club around) ALL THE TIME. I’m always making up songs and singing them to the boys. I’ve also found that writing on my blog has filled me up in so many ways!
I’m so happy to “meet” you!
Author
That’s so fun!! I’m glad to meet you, too!
This is an utterly fantastic thought. Thanks so much. Stopping by from Momma Made it Look Easy
Author
Thank you, and thanks for stopping by!!
Really beautiful and inspiring post.
Author
Aw,thank you!! I’m glad it touched you!
I so agree that as adult women we need to find what feeds our soul. I think it is important for us just to feel good and also it is such an excellent example for our children.
Great post!
Stopping by from MMILE
Author
I couldn’t agree more!! Thanks for coming by!
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Wow, you gave me chills here! I love this so much! I’m going to link it up on my Facebook page, k?
I recently joined out church choir so I can TOTALLY relate to that part of your post. I also have to have social outlets with my girlfriends, that totally feeds my soul, as does time outside with my kids. I’m SO happy it’s cooling off here so we can get out again.
Anyway, thanks for this wonderful post! xo
Author
Aw, thank you so much!! Of course it’s ok to put on your fb page. 🙂
When we used to live in TX, I used to relish the fall when the temps would chill out a but and we could actually do things. Ha!
What a beautiful post! I’m craving some soul food right now.
Author
Thank you!! I pray you can get a massive helping of it soon!
Just beautiful. I’m not sure what feeds my soul right now. Maybe church. I spend a lot of time with my family. That used to feed my soul, but not so much these days. I think that’s a sign that something is off, don’t you?
Enough rambling. You’ve given me a lot to think about. Thank you!
Author
Yes, for me its vastly different things than church or family. Those things feed my soul, but not in this same way. Writing, dancing, etc is what does it for me. And somehow magnifies the effect of feeding I get from family, etc, if that makes sense. Praying you find what feeds your soul soon!
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I felt your energy and life while reading this post. It’s so good when we feed ourselves with Him and those things He has called us to do.
Thanks for linking up to Domestically Divine.
Author
Thanks so much!! I wish we could live on those “mountain top” days all the time. 🙂
This was very sweet, and a good reminder.
Author
Thanks! 🙂
I really like this post. I understand the feeling of your soul being full! I am creative too and grew up reading and writing. Then, I got higher education and for years I didn’t write for pleasure and I barely read for pleasure. And my soul got oh so dry. And then I started working full time in Christian ministry and my soul got even MORE dry! But God worked in our lives…my husband got a new job and moved us to Montana and I am staying home now and have started blogging all this year and writing even more and reading so much. I am feeling so much more alive! Thanks be to God!
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