Welcome to our weekly Friday Check-in for February 28th, 2025 ✅
If you are new to Soul Care, WELCOME!! We are so glad you are here. We have a weekly rhythm of checking in together on Fridays. We use Mindy Caliguire's Page, Person, Plan framework to create a weekly rhythm and prepare ourselves for Sabbath rest.
Let’s check in...
- How are you doing? How does your body feel right now?
- What has stood out to you most in the Friday Check Ins this month?
- What do you need as we start a new month? What do you hope March holds for you?
If you are seeking rest, renewal, more space to reflect, community + solitude, you’re invited to join us for the Semi-Silent Retreat TOMORROW! Check your time zone and hope to see you there!
Right now, simply pause, take a deep breath, and ask God’s Spirit to guide you in these few minutes of reflection and prayer...
Let's begin with,
Page: An Invitation to Reflection
Read Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:38-48 (MSG):
Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”
Spend a few minutes journaling in response to this passage:
- What stands out to you most? Is there a particular word or phrase?
- As you read through it a second time… ask God, “to what area of my life does that particular word or phrase connect?”
- And as you read a third time, be asking God, “Is there an invitation for me?” Is there a response of some kind that God is inviting you into?
Next up is,
Person: An Invitation to Connection
Jesus challenges us to move beyond a mindset of retaliation and into radical love, echoing God’s mercy. Jesus calls us to love not just our neighbors but also our enemies, embodying a grace that disrupts the world’s expectations. This passage is not about passivity but about a transformative strength—the kind that absorbs hostility and returns kindness. In living this way, we become reflections of God’s perfect love, demonstrating a righteousness that is deeper than mere rule-following.
- In what areas of your life do you find it hardest to respond with love instead of retaliation, and what might Jesus be inviting you to surrender in those moments?
- How does loving your enemies challenge your understanding of justice and grace, and what practical steps can you take to embody this kind of love?
- Jesus calls us to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect—how might this call shape the way you engage with difficult people or situations in your daily life?
Finally we have,
Plan: An Invitation to Intention
How has contemplating and practicing “fearlessness” shaped you and your decisions this month? How might you apply today’s passage fearlessly? Here’s one suggestion:
Practice: The Blessing Prayer
Each day, take a moment to intentionally pray for someone who has wronged you or whom you find difficult to love. Name them before God, and instead of asking for justice or change in their behavior, ask for their well-being, healing, and blessing. Where/when possible, take one small action to show kindness toward them—whether through a message, a silent act of service, or simply withholding negativity. Over time, this practice softens your heart, aligns you with God’s mercy, and rewires your instinct toward love rather than retaliation.
We’d love to hear how you have been practicing fearlessness by replying to this email, and feel free to share your reflections on today’s Scripture and journal prompts.
Thanks for checking in today.
Blessings!
Have a blessed Friday,
Team Soul Care
Please note: today’s passage teaches us to adopt a posture of love and forgiveness, but it doesn’t mean enduring abuse and remaining in harmful and destructive relationships or contexts—Jesus calls for wisdom, justice, and setting healthy boundaries. If you’re experiencing abuse, reach out to trusted friends, counselors, or support organizations for help and please let us know if we can help connect you to further resources.