At this very moment, I am grateful for my big coffee cup. (Pause for a moment of respect for the first cup of java.) Coffee does find multiple ways into daily gratitude over the course of a year. Later today, it will be a big cup filled with water. Over-sized cups are convenient. They help us stay hydrated with clean, life-giving water.
A big cup of iced tea on a summer afternoon with favorite friends...it is a sweet (or not sweet, depending on how you like your tea) treat! There are days "your cup overflows". The figurative cup, not the coffee cup.
I had a bit of that yesterday. A gathering that literally has been on hold for a month...finally happened. The fellowship of old friends is so very sweet. My big cup was filled to the rim. If you are able to spend time with girlfriends, brothers or sisters more than once every few months...do not forget to give thanks for a cup that overflows. Such gatherings strengthen us for the journey, the work and the trials. They, also, magnify our joys.
Psalm 23:5 says..."my cup overflows."
God's provision is a strong theme in this 23rd Psalm. He is so much more than our "enough"...He is our abundance, our protector, our rescuer and the one who sustains our souls. In seasons where there are struggles, He is still our enough. Our portion is plenty and our cup is not empty.
Enough. Some days it is manna for the day...some days a feast. He does not abandon his children...though we can so easily neglect him or ignore what he offers.
We cannot out give him. He is our source. Still, when one of his children give the gift of a cup of water to one in need... it touches His heart.
And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” -Matthew 10:42
The passage is referencing some things the Lord rewards. We can't earn our way to heaven with good deeds or donations, but how we serve is noted. We can never "be good enough" but no worries. He covered that debt with his blood on the cross a long time ago. He simply wants us to serve from grateful hearts so that others may see Him. He wants us to pour into the lives of others from our "big cups" of his grace.
Daily, he pours his grace. His children receive it, daily. We, in turn, can choose to pay it forward, so that others may know the deep, unfailing and abiding love of Christ. Again we hear His command: Love me. Love each other. Don't be stingy with either.
His love is limitless...and he is ready to fill our cups. Are we ready to receive and share it?
Today, I am grateful for big cups.
No comments:
Post a Comment