Soul Nourishment

When we think of nourishment we automatically think of what we put into our body in the way of food and drink. We often try to make sure what we eat is wholesome for our body or at the very least delicious and fun to eat.  Today I started thinking about how nourishing our relationships are. 

Are they the kind that feed you or do they strip you of all vital energy and leave you feeling listless and lacking in some regard?  Do they enhance your life and propel you to want to be a better person?  Do they look for the good in you and in others? Do they feed that deep part of your soul that makes your life vital and long lasting? I think because I just wrote about what are those things in our lives that make us shout “ Never Again”  that got me to thinking………

Years ago I had a sweet friend and there were so many wonderful things about her. She was big hearted and she was certainly thoughtful of others,  giving and she could even make me laugh at times. But the relationship was unhealthy  and lacked vital mental nutrients. She was bogged down in toxic thinking and  stuck with the record player of her life skipping over and over at the same place with no let up. It was groundhog day in the most emotionally unfit way.  There was not a large enough amount of light that I could share to help her.

Because I was in a place where I was struggling to grow into who I felt God was leading me to be, I had to cut off that friend relationship. I had never done that before and it felt so unkind at first.  I was still not convinced in my younger, much younger mind that with a cape and a tiara and my good attitude that I could surely save everyone. The reality is that there is no amount of saving for someone who does not want to be saved. I know this because sadly I have been there too!!!

This was at a time in my life where I was learning and growing and trying to hold together a home that was falling apart.  I realized that I was not bringing her up or feeding her soul, she was depleting mine.  

I think it is almost like trying to bring a life raft to a drowning person that does not want to take it. I also realized that doing the same thing expecting different results was totally insane.

As an older adult I have learned that I must first feed my soul and then share with others.  What a trite statement but true, “You can not pour from an empty vessel.”  I think we  could add to that, you can not pour into someone who is not ready to receive.  I am so thankful that today I am so aware of how and who I spend my time with. 

God has surely blessed me with nourishing and wholesome friendships and mentors who guide me to be the best of me.  It takes a while in life to realize that this living thing is a joyful and full experience and we can choose where to spend our lives. I am so thankful for this today.

I am thankful and nourished today!!!

I will leave you precious ones with some food for thought:

“What is running your life at any given moment is your soul. Not external circumstances, not your thoughts, not your intentions, not even your feelings, but your soul. The soul is that aspect of your whole being that correlates, integrates, and enlivens everything going on in the various dimensions of the self. The soul is the life center of human beings.  ~ Jen Hatmaker