Only take care, and keep your soul diligently,
Deuteronomy 4:9
lest you forget the things that
your eyes have seen,
and lest they depart from your heart
all the days of your life.
Make them known to
your children and your children’s children—
The Imperative
The Israelites stand ready. It is time – time to take the land God promised. As they gather, eager to step across the
threshold, Moses addresses them. And what does he say?
“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently.”
At this significant moment in their nation’s history, Moses tells them their soul matters.
Notice three crucial things in this verse:
1. “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently…”
Clear instruction is given. The people are to keep (care for) their soul. Effort is essential. Work is required. Our soul is not to be ignored.
2. “…lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life.”
The condition of our soul affects our own spiritual, mental, and physical health.
3. “Make them known to your children and your children’s children—”
There is a definite correlation between our soul’s condition and the legacy we leave.
As grandparents, it is imperative that we heed the words of Moses. Intentionality and diligence in the “keeping” of our soul are vital to our own relationship with God and crucial for passing the faith to our grandchildren.
Keeping the Soul
Scripture makes it clear that each of us is the keeper of his or her own soul. No other person can do the work for us.
The responsibility is ours alone. The work of soul keeping requires intentionality, watchfulness, and vigilance. It is a matter of both protection and maintenance.
It is important for us to note that the health of our soul is directly linked to the quality of its “keeping.” The condition of our soul – unhealthy or healthy – exposes where we place our trust and what we truly believe to be true.
And this influences what our children and grandchildren choose to believe.
Life is busy and in the daily chaos it can be easy to neglect the care of one’s soul, but intentionality in its care is vital — both to our own relationship with God and to passing the faith to our grandchildren. The condition of our soul exposes where we place our trust and what we truly believe to be true. And this influences what our children and grandchildren choose to believe. With a careful look at the importance of soul care and many practical ideas for carrying out the work, this book is a helpful tool for grandparents.
1 comment
Patti
Thank you for your excellent post. I don’t think there’s nearly enough help out there for parents and grandparents about passing on our faith. Didn’t realize you had a book. Purchased on Amazon and very much looking forward to reading!