my cup

(This post was written, during my first month of blogging, three years ago on October 1, 2010 – But, it is more true than ever!)

Friday morning.  Its a special Friday – the one on the calendar that is sandwiched between my anniversary and my birthday.  I’m sitting here in my living room with my cup.  Its my favorite coffee cup.  It fits me perfectly.  A china cup with a cherry red background and white floral pattern… best of all it has hot coffee in it – with lots of cream and a bit of sugar.

On this very important Friday, just before I turn 35 and just after I have celebrated 11 years with my incredible husband, I can’t help but look into my mug and see my blessings.  I am overwhelmed, I have so much to be thankful for.

Thankful because it could have been very different.  Step back in time just over 12 years ago.  Poor choices and a declining walk with the Savior put me in a very difficult and unhappy place.  I found myself grieving the end of a relationship, in pain, confused and disappointed.  My heart had become  hard and my life was very dark.

I will never forget lying on the couch, in the family room of my parents’ home, creating a puddle of tears, completely devastated at the mess my life and my heart had become.  And my mom came to me – we listened to worship music.  She sat next to me with my head in her lap and read Scripture to me and stroked my hair.  If ever the Holy Spirit has come  to me wrapped in flesh, it was that day, as my mom. (thank you, mom…)

Over and over again we listened to one song – the last line spoke to me : “Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.”  It was as if He were whispering a sweet and gentle promise in my ears.  I knew there was hope- I could begin again with this assurance : He had a plan for me.  and it was better.

And so, a few months later, His plan began to unfold.  I graduated from college and moved  here, where I met my sweet husband.  We were married not long after and the rest is history.  Its my history – filled with pain and blessing.

Let me be clear:  We are not rich by the world’s standards.  Our house is not large, we do not drive a fancy car, my wardrobe is mostly from Target.  Life is not always easy.  But my blessings are innumerable – they overflow from the depths of my heart as I think of them.

Their names are Michael, Emily, Isaac and Mackenzie.  They are my parents and my husband’s parents.  Its the restored relationship I’ve experienced with my sister and her family.  Its my extended family that reaches from Los Angeles to Oklahoma to Huntsville, Ontario ; the godly heritage that comes from these family lines is woven into the very fabric of my life.  I can’t even begin to mention friends that are nearby, and friends who are even closer to my heart, but live so far away.  And this is just the beginning…

I find myself realizing that I am not blessed because of wealth or means.  I am blessed because I am on the path He has chosen for me.  And as I think of all the ways that He cares for me and shows me His love for me, my heart is moved.  My cup runneth over!

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, even the God of our Salvation!  Psalm 68:19

amen.

md