One cup is enough.
Life has a way of reminding us of our limitations. I have a rare illness, and right now I am dealing with multiple complications. I am also caring for two parents who are very ill and live 100 miles away.
A friend at University used to say I needed to marry three men, because I would wear one out with my boundless energy. I could keep going like the Energizer Bunny. That is not exactly my current situation.
Every morning I get one cup of strength. One cup of energy. Some days the cup is a little larger. Some days I get a whole bucket! Some days it is quite small. A bit like a thimble. I can pour that energy out any way I choose, but once it’s gone, it’s gone. I cannot refill it. No second helpings.
That means I need to budget my cup of strength well. I need to choose who and what will receive my energy that day. I have to carefully and wisely set my priorities. Right now, my top expenditures need to be my family and my health.
That means I may not have any extra in today’s cup for wonderful people and projects I value highly. I may have to say no (or not yet) to very good people and very good things. I may not be able to return every phone call, email, and text in a timely manner. I wish I had an unlimited source of strength, so I could keep pouring out to everyone. But there is one Messiah, and it is not me. His name is Jesus. I need to cling to His robe, and point myself and others past my limitations to the Unlimited One, the Alpha and Omega, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace.
Scripture encourages us to pour out our hearts to God, but then to move on toward the truth and strength of Someone far greater. After pouring out his extensive (and very understandable) complaint to God, Jeremiah returns to his place of rest:
The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"Therefore I have hope in Him."
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,
To the person who seeks Him.
It is good that he waits silently
For the salvation of the LORD.
Lamentations 3:22-26
The Lord is my portion. Is He enough? Yes. Yes. Yes. Therefore I will give thanks for my cup every morning. I will be grateful for the lovingkindness, compassion, hope, and goodness of the Lord no matter the season of life.
I am surrounded by amazing, supportive people. As my wise and loving friend Jim reminds me, “The same God who moves at the speed of light (186,000 miles per second) also moves at the pace of a snail (25 ft per hour). He is at work in you and for you. Don't forget that you are loved. And don't forget what you preach: your value is not determined by what or how much you do. Your worth is found in the reality that God has adopted you into His Family.” Amen, Jim, Amen!
This is a challenging season, but I will not always have such limitations. I will be far stronger and far more available soon. It takes more than this to keep Goodtime Linda down. But may I always point you far beyond Linda Kline to Jesus, the author and perfecter of Faith.
Thanks for listening and praying,
With much love,
Linda