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I still remember my great-aunt from the hills of Kentucky, USA. Aunt Anise had an old, covered water well in her backyard, which was absolutely amazing for a city boy like me. She also wrung chickens by the neck, plucked their feathers, and proceeded to cook the best, mouth-watering chicken with biscuits and gravy — long before Colonel Sanders started his Kentucky Fried Chicken® fast food business.
Aunt Anise knew her Bible. She also knew well her Lord Jesus. I especially learned many of her sayings, which stick with me to this day. Though I was a child, and I wasn't always sure what she meant, I still remember her saying throughout the day, "Well, bless my soul." Over and over again, she would repeat, "Well, bless my soul."
Thinking about it as an adult, it is a beautiful saying. As I replay these words in my mind, I am aware of Anise simply caring for her soul, which is a profound need, essential for a day and age such as ours. The soul, in fact, is the most important aspect of our being. The soul coordinates and organizes, while unifying the mind, heart, and will to love God and our neighbour as ourselves. Jesus said, "There is none other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:31b KJV) But we know how difficult they are to keep.
No surprise. In struggling with this commandment, we are aware of living in a secular culture. What that means is that many have tossed out of all consideration any miracles, revelation, heaven, and yes, even the soul. In eliminating the soul, humanity is set at risk.
My Aunt Anise would also speak of lost souls. So did Jesus:
Matthew 16:26 – For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (KJV)
A lost soul is separated from God and broken by sin. When we were born, our life with God was already lost, as was our soul. What is even more deadly is that when our priorities are out of balance, when our values are conflicted, and when our free will and decisions lack consequences, we find ourselves on a downward spiral.
One of my favourite verses in Scripture is the one in which David affirms that the Lord "restores my soul". (Psalm 23:3 NKJV) Today is the day for God to do some work within us so that we can do His work and we can feel free to exclaim, "Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee: How great Thou art! How great Thou art!"
Prayer: Almighty God, our soul sings for You: How great Thou art! Open the eyes of our soul today and help us to cast a vision of life with You. May our souls listen quietly as we hear Your Word. Then, speak Your truth and continue Your work in us so that our life may be born anew into the body of Christ. This we pray in His name. Amen.
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Amen!!!
What is “our soul”?
Beautiful prayer. God Bless.
Thank you so much for today’s saying.
Thanks, Robin, for your words of wisdom.
Thank you for giving us truth this morning.
And so it is as you have said Robin! Blessings.
A very powerful message. May God bless your soul.
Thank you for sharing this interesting devotional with us. You brought back memories from childhood! Blessings.
Thanks, Robin, for this devotional. “Bless my soul” was heard often in the past but seldom now, another truly great saying missed by the young generation. Blessings to you.
Robin,
Your soul-blessing message is timely. Those of us with ties to the old-time religious practices are richly blest in this sad and corrupt earthly life. Thank you.
Dear Robin,
My soul has been blessed reading your devotional today! Thanks so much for sharing such a powerful message. Within me, my soul is also singing “How Great Thou art”.
I read the Saturday Presbycan and had a Deja vu moment! Then I realized I read about Aunt Anise on your Thursday blog post. Like Yogi Berra it was “Deja vu all over again”.
Bless my soul and yours too!
Thanks for this beautiful devotional writing, Robin, and sharing the special memories of your Aunt. Checking in to the “depth of the soul” is important for us to do in our daily life and our Lord does deserve our gratitude and reverence for His special care of us.
Blessings for your writing.
Good morning, Robin,
Yes, I remember that saying as well, also a lot of people here in the olden days would say, “Well bless my heart.”
Thank you for those good words this morning.
Blessings on your weekend.
Dear Robin,
Thank you for this devotional: sharing your faith and introducing your Aunt Anise to us. Other generations who live their faith and relationship with the Lord are such a blessing in our lives.
God bless and keep you.
(BC, Canada)
Good morning, Robin,
Well I am not sure why, but I have tears in my eyes as I read your devotional and the story about your great aunt, Anise, and I think the title of your devotional struck me.
What a lovely memory. We had a cottage with a covered well – good memories also.
I relate to the importance of our “souls” and enjoyed the passages and your thoughts about them. As I join in your prayer, I hope my soul is blessed. Thanks for sharing. Blessings.
Good morning, Robin,
Your devotional brought back memories to me of my grandmother wringing the neck of the chicken we were to have to eat when we visited small town Arkansas from our home in New York (near NYC). The settings of the two places were miles apart but my grandmother’s faith was mirrored in that of my parents. I am grateful to have had that kind of upbringing.
Thank you for your thoughts this morning and the memories evoked.
(Texas)
Thank you, Robin. A lovely tribute to your aunt and her beliefs, which should be ours.
Thank you for your beautiful witness in this devotion. I too was blessed with a wonderful relative who hummed hymns all the time. I miss hearing that sweet noise and your devotion go to these memories of wonderful times remembering our Lord in unique ways.
(Texas)