My question for today is how can we better care for our soul? 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Our soul was meant for God and it craves security, satisfaction and significance, which cannot be found in ourselves, only in the Lord. And the truth is that when we willingly die to ourselves, it is then when our soul comes alive. How exactly does that manifest in our lives? I can guarantee it will help us see people in a different light; we will see them more as God sees them. We will wish them well and project good into their lives, not evil. We will think of them as part of us and want to bless them. Our souls are also not meant to be hurried but resting in the Lord and present to Him; it may mean often slowing down and making space for healing and restoration. It’s important that our will is undivided so our soul can be at rest and ready to say yes to the Lord. We are truly set free as we surrender to the Lord and embrace what He has for our lives. Even when things turn out different than we anticipated and we are disappointed, it is an opportunity to be like the wean child with his mother; we learn to find our satisfaction in the Lord and not in satisfying our own appetites. Jesus invites all of us who are thirsty to come to Him and let Him quench our thirst and in Psalm 55: 2b &3a (NIV) said, “Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the riches of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live.”  Our souls were meant for the Lord. They also thrive better when we are full of gratitude. It doesn’t come as a result of getting more things but from acknowledging His presence and His goodness to us. We don’t deserve any of the gifts He blesses us with, and we must guard against thinking we are entitled. When we are humble and know that all we have received is from Him, it is good to express thanks.  But how do we care for our souls in keeping them from weariness and fatigue? I remember how tired I was when my dad had a heart attack and I sat by his bedside. I didn’t do any work and yet my soul was weary out of concern for him. Ortberg, in his book, Soul Keeping, suggests doing what Jesus did in allowing God to replenish His spirit: He prayed and fed His mind with scripture; He had close friends such as the 12 who he shared life with; He worshiped in the synagogue; He enjoyed creation and took long walks; He welcomed children and blessed them and even partied etc. As Dallas Willard once said, “The reason our souls hunger so is that our life we could be living so far exceeds our strangest dreams.” Let us take time to tend our soul and live life humbly, gratefully, and deeply close to Him.
Challenge for today:  Live in gratitude and express it to God and others. 
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy