I was a part of the Soul Care Institute's Cohort 3 in Colorado Springs, CO. This two year journey was one of transformation and freedom as I learned and practiced, listening, resting, walking, and working in new ways that nourished my soul and drew me deeper in my relationship with Christ.
These new spiritual rhythms, coupled with the excellent insight and teachings of the SCI speakers, enabled me to truly understand and embrace who I am in Christ and how I am uniquely created by Him to do good things. I have been a Christ follower since I was twelve, but over the years I defined myself not by the words of Jesus, but based on labels created by relationship, roles, or credentials. I willingly accepted the titles of administrator, caregiver, CFO, service leader, because declining any of these labels would be irresponsible, an admittance that I couldn't do it all...in essence, I would be a failure to myself and those who counted on me.
And anyway, no one else could handle or juggle all of these roles (in addition to mom, wife, friend) as well as I could, right? This mindset coupled with the time, responsibilities, and workload associated with each role resulted in exhaustion, disillusionment, and a cry out to God that this load was too much, too heavy, impossible to carry.
It was in this place of mental, emotional, and spiritual fatigue and desolation that I happened upon the Soul Care Institute on Facebook and completed the application.
I didn't know if I would be accepted or what to expect,
but I sensed that God was calling me to journey with Him to find rest and restoration.
The two years I invested in the Soul Care Institute were life changing!
This journey of transformation, freedom, and revelation, taken with fellow sojourners (now friends), enabled me to separate God's truth about me, from the false truths I told myself. I learned to let go of self criticism and misplaced responsibilities and to embrace a life of peace and renewed joy.
Practicing and growing in these rhythms of rest and renewal have not only enabled me to refill my soul, but to care for others in ways that encourage and enable them to do the same! My two year journey with the Soul Care Institute has facilitated an awakening of my soul as well as an understanding and recognition of who God created me to be. I have learned how to monitor the state of my soul and to recognize what fills my soul, and when I need to get away with Jesus. These changes, in turn, have benefited those in my workplace, those I serve, and those I love most.
When people ask me about the Soul Care Institute, I refer to Matthew 11:28-30, "Are you tired? Worn out? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me --- watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." These words remind me of the necessity of keeping spiritual rhythms and making time to learn, walk, work, and rest with Jesus. And its through the deep teachings, readings, spiritual disciplines and soul searching I learned at the Soul Care Institute that my life has been forever changed!
Forever grateful,
Tammy Magaldi