Saved

BETHANY TIPPIN

I looked down at my lap, while curled in a quilted cocoon, and noticed a hole. “More mending,” my mind muttered. Soon, the dog’s whining moved me to get up, and I found myself on top of our hill, taking huge gulps of fresh air and savoring the wide-open view. 

The familiar timbre of the Spirit’s voice greeted my mind: “Why are you downcast, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? (Ps 42:5)” 

I realized the melancholy mood of my morning was something God understood. We chatted about the whys while the dog sniffed at gopher holes. The conversation ended with a profound comprehension that my soul needed saving—today. Not as in a moment of conversion, or any worry on any level that I’m missing entrance to heaven, not in a someday sort of way, but in a needing tending and mending right here and right now sort of way. My thoughts wandered back to the quilt… and then to the gloves and pants I repaired for my husband’s upcoming hunting trip yesterday. There are times when useful, good items tear and need mended. It takes time to sew up the holes, but when done, they’re almost as good as new (sometimes better!). 

More lines from Psalm 42 surfaced, 

“These things I remember,
as I pour out my soul:
how I would go with the throng
and lead them in procession to the house of God
with glad shouts and songs of praise,
a multitude keeping festival” (Ps. 42:4). 

My eyes leaked for a while. 

And then, again in God’s familiar and comforting voice: “Hope in God.” And my voice filled in the answer: “For I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God” (Ps. 42:11). 

I felt my soul pull back together in wholeness, like Jesus’ steady hands pulling sturdy thread through the parted seams. These words from James chapter 1 suddenly made sense in a whole new way, “welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your soul” (James 1:21). 

May you receive your daily dose of soul care and salvation from the hands of our gentle Lord today, too, friends.