Image: Nina Bisognani
Soup for the Soul
During the winter months
Images of steamy soups fill my mind.
A lovingly prepared hot soup brings warmth to cold, stormy days
And cheer to simple meals shared with others.
Beef stew was a favorite during my childhood.
But there is nothing that warms my heart
Like my husband’s homemade chicken soup.
Made every fall and kept in the freezer in small batches;
We heat it up it for dinner throughout the winter,
Whenever colds and flu threaten our health.
I believe it has healing power.
The healing power of warm soup in winter
Reminds me of an even greater source of strength
That can help us through the difficult times we face
In our world today, as well as troubles in our personal lives.
It is the spiritual soup that fills our souls when we pray together.
In spiritual soup, music is a main ingredient.
We sing songs of thankfulness and praise.
One hymn, composed by Christian songwriter Lanny Wolfe in 1977
Was inspired by Matthew, 18:20, “Where two or three are gathered
together in my name, there I am in their midst.”
The well-loved song, “Surely the Presence of the Lord” (is in this place),
Is sung by the entire congregation in a church I often attend during winter months.
Like a warm soup, it lifts our hearts and sustains us through the days to come.
Perhaps we could create our own spiritual soups in these dark times, when our
Inner selves most need nourishment. Lift our voices to God in song. Spiritual soup has
Healing power.
-Nina Bisognani