A Different Kind of Soup For The Soul

Photo Credit: lil on Pinterest

My mom has a book, “Chicken Soup for the Teacher’s Soul.”

It is designed to bring healing and comfort to educators.

Soups tend to make us feel better when we are feeling crummy.

Being one with limited speech is tremendously difficult on the daily.

If only a bowl of hot, steamy soup would soothe my troubles and ease my worries.

What does seem to help are words.

Words of care.

Words of encouragement.

Words of love.

I open my mouth and grunts and noises beyond my control emerge.

Oh, the looks I receive.

I wish I didn’t care.

But I do.

I am human after all.

The stares, the laughter, the hateful comments cut deep within my soul.

Why?

Why do we do this to one another?

My healing doesn’t come with saltines and Gingerale.

It comes from Him.

I love listening to His words in song.

It brings me comfort and reminds me I am not alone.

Likewise, the support systems found in my family, my teachers and my friends are my heartbeat.

They keep me going.

When hurtful words sneak in and try to steal my joy, their words of kindness give me hope.

I have great hope.

My soup for the world isn’t Campbell’s.

It doesn’t come in a can.

It comes from us.

Through our actions and in our written and spoken words.

Our words matter.

Use them with utmost care.

Use them with purpose.

Use them with love.