My Cup

 by Macy Johnson

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

(Psalm 23:5 NIV)

 

“Nana, what does that mean?” my granddaughter asked as she pointed to the imprinting across my green shirt. “My cup runneth over means I have more than enough. God blesses me with more than I want," I replied. “It is from the Psalm about a shepherd who provides for his sheep.”

 

Not long after that dialogue with Dahlia, Jeff and I were enjoying a quiet afternoon at Tugaloo State Park in northeast Georgia. A big fifth wheel camper pulled up to a neighboring campsite and a woman emerged from the passenger side of an oversized, black, off-road pickup. She gave hand signals to the driver as the massive contraption gently maneuvered onto the gravel platform.

 

We ignored the activity until the driver appeared. He was handicapped. We later learned from his wife that Agent Orange had deprived her husband, a veteran, of the use of his legs. He moved slowly and deliberately with the assistance of crutches. My husband turned to me and quietly remarked, “Please don’t ever let me complain about anything ever again.” We both felt humbly blessed.

 

I confess that sometimes I want what others have. Their camper is nicer, their appearance is better, they are smarter, or they just have more of what I think I want. That’s when the Holy Spirit whispers to me, “Your cup overflows.” In Christ we have all things.

 

Oswald Chambers wrote, “Pour out the best you have, and always be poor.” May my blessings spill out to everyone around me and help me to be a blessing and not a pain.

 

I will thank my heavenly Father for all His wonderful blessings as my cup fills and overflows. I hope you will, too!