explaining your soul
Today is Saturday–I do not write on the weekends but today is a tribute to 2 things. One is that both my daughters scored goals in soccer today. They both wanted to “commemorate” the day with something special. One wrote a beautiful entry in her gratitude journal about her goal. I thought that was the end of it.
But when I tucked her in tonight she was extremely upset–she wanted a celebration of her accomplishments.
I held her and waited for the Holy Spirit to guide my tongue–finally I explained it this way:
We all have an outside self and we have an inside self. For me it would be the Renee that everyone sees and my inside Renee or the Soulful Renee. The Soulful Renee only cares about how God will respond to her actions. The outside Renee does tons of things but no one is cheering me on! I clean toilets, wipe butts, take out the trash and make sure the inside of the garbage can is clean! Does anyone but God notice? Should anyone notice? Should it matter that anyone does or does not notice?
The girls are giving me blank looks.
I again waited for the Holy Spirit to help me out:
Sometimes we smile on the inside. When we smile on the inside and feel happy our soul is happy. When we close our eyes and remember how we felt when we scored the goal, finished a project or made someone happy–all without anyone noticing or making a fuss–that is our soul smiling.
I think they got it. I explained to them that all the things that I’m most proud of in my life have had nothing to do with getting applause. I did it for myself. I didn’t have a Mom to tell me about my soul. I’m glad that I can share that with my girls.
I’ve had a few conversations about “my soul” with some very wise women. What I get is that my soul is God living within me. The God that created me lives in my soul. Now that I get that–I need to figure out how to dance with my soul, how to sing with my soul and how to smile with my soul. Somedays are easier than others . . .
. . . how can my soul be happy when I’m yelling at my kids to get in the car, or when I’m mad at my husband for no reason, or when I eat that bag of potato chips . . . my soul isn’t happy but . . .
it gives my life purpose. My soul is the friend inside me that helps me be a better person.
Thought Provoking Thursday
Thoughtful Thursday
Thankful Thursday
Life in Bloom
Thrive at Home Thursday
What a great conversation to have with your daughters!! Love that God was there beside you.
So thankful to read about your experience! My nearly-4-year-old has been asking some tough questions like this. You are wise to wait on the spirit to guide your tongue! Thank you for linking up at Thrive @ Home!
A few years ago in my marriage I felt the need to be heard, yet knew that keeping my mouth quiet would be best . . . and it was–from that moment on I try listen to the Holy Spirit. Of course I fail–each time I yell, “get in the car NOOOOOOWWWW!” I’m a work in progress.
Be Blessed.