Simple Is Better – What’s Saving Your Soul These Days?

Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Gratitude Day 962

What is saving YOUR soul?

Author, pastor and educator Barbara Brown Taylor regularly encourages people to ask this question. Of themselves. And others. It’s a great question and one that I don’t ask and answer often enough.

So, what is saving YOUR soul these days?

What is giving you life? Warm fuzzies. Sustenance when the world feels a bit off kilter.

Truth? We. Need. These. Things. Every day.

Yes, we can go for periods of time when we are too filled with doing and going and getting caught up in the wrong things. For most of us, there comes a time when it’s just too much and we need to hit pause. Fill ourselves with other things. Come back to what fills our heart and souls and focus on this.

So again, I ask: what is saving YOUR soul these days?

I’m trying to ask myself this question more often these days . . . and actually answer it. Be intentional about thinking of what IS saving my soul these days.

Here are some of the things I find refreshing my soul:

Listening to quiet music in the background with no words. Yes, sometimes, I like music with words. Other times, I need peace.

Putting my phone down more often and being in the moment. Yes, this means I might not have captured a photo. Or missed seeing something on social media and the news. Honestly? I need less of this and more in the moment.

Remembering that I GET to do things rather than focusing on HAVING to do something. It’s a subtle shift, but an important one.

Cousin time. Recently, several Deaton family members traveled to Maryland for cousin Renah’s wedding. The weather was fantastic. The food good. The company and cards even better. I think we all really enjoyed simply being together and celebrating a special time in our family.

Watching the sun come up with Hubby Rick while in Maryland and letting it take our breath away.

Listening to books on audible. I have been listening to the Cobbled Court Quilt Series and enjoying them.

The little things. My granddaughter singing her current favorite songs in the car for me. Dropping off flowers for another granddaughter on the day of her homecoming date. Coffee and breakfast with family. A three hour dinner with friends that felt like it lasted 45 minutes.

What isn’t filling my soul these days? Too much news. Trying to figure out how to make more money. Chasing the biggest and the best. I think I’m officially becoming old because these things just no longer seem to feel that important to me.

Yes, I still distract myself with the wrong things. And get frustrated with I waste time or something takes three times longer than I anticipated. When these moments, I gently encourage myself to go back to one of those things that is saving my soul lately. To sit for a minute or two and appreciate the wonderful things that I have enjoyed within the last 24 hours and know these ARE the important things.

What is saving YOUR soul? Take a minute. Think about it. Make a list. Share with me. Someone else. Be intentional. We ALL need things that are saving our souls. Every. Single. Day.

Blessings –

Dianne

Loving God – Thank you for those little moments when something happens and all I can do is stop and say, “Amen.” Thank you for the little things saving my soul these days. Help me see them. Acknowledge me. Envelop them. Amen.

Looking for a bit of daily inspiration? Check out my daily affirmation posts on Facebook and Instagram (Dianne Deaton Vielhuber and Simple Words of Faith.)

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