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My Cup Runneth Over

Photo by Jon Tyson
As many of you know, this year has been awfully hard for me due to illness. A year is a long time to be unemployed and an infinitely long time to not feel well, especially when you have two small children to raise on your own. I have been in prayer about things we need, things we want, and things we could do without.  We have been very blessed to be surrounded by ministering angels right here on earth. Every month we have had a roof over our heads, food on our table, and we have even enjoyed much of our wants. Regarding those things we could do without--He has healed me from sickness, resolved troublesome situations, and has quieted many storms--God has had endless mercy on us!


In my quiet time this morning, I began reading in the book of Psalms.  I love this book of the Bible because David, a man after God's own heart, wrote heartfelt, honest words. He cried out from the very depths of his soul, but with the utmost respect and honor for his maker, for his King. The following scripture leaped from the page and ministered to me during a time of financial disaster, of being surrounded by situations that I cannot control, and dire circumstances. 

"Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance... Therefore, my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:5-6,9-11

 I really felt convicted by this passage because I have had times of wondering, "Why me, Lord? I didn't ask for this." Perhaps you have heard the saying, "Everyone has their cross to bear. " We all have our own portion, our own cup, assigned to us by our loving Father. You see, it is so easy to look around at everyone else's cup, that we miss what is in our own. The cross we bear is related to the cup and portion assigned to us. We often want what our neighbor has without realizing the price they pay to have those things. For example, your friend may have a bigger house, but she may never have time with her kids. Or your brother may have a nicer vehicle but may be drowning in debt to maintain that lifestyle. Your former spouse, who seems to have no financial worries, may have a heart so heavy he is contemplating suicide. Your enemy may have everything you have ever dreamed of, but fear and torment are his bedfellows. On the other hand, you may also be witnessing God’s open blessings for anonymous good deeds and sacrifices made in secret.
My prayer today: 
Thank You, Lord, for everything You have given me, taken from me, and have for me to receive.  I have the most beautiful girls who make my heart smile. I have a wonderful, loving, supportive family who has often done without to help me over this past year. Father, You have blessed me with the most amazing best friend who has stuck by me, and prayed me through some very hard times. I am thankful, Lord, that You have chosen for me a journey that would mold me into the person You created me to be and that You have been with me every step of the way.  I am blessed beyond measure. My cup runneth over. 
Father, I recognize and acknowledge today that You are my portion.  You are my cup. If I have You, everything else in life is secondary.

 Philippians 4:12,13 "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him that gives me strength."
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