Good Gifts:)

From time to time I receive a devotional article in my mailbox and I really enjoy them; so I decided to post today's choice morsel:)

'Girl Meets God' from Melissa MathewsWeek of September 6 - 12, 2009
Fill My Cup Up- Let it Overflow

Thank Him in advance for what the future holds, for He is already there. Elizabeth Elliot

As I banged the cup on the counter, I got a groan.
"Mooomm, the cuuup's not fuuull yet."
As if I didn't know that, as if that wasn't the whole purpose in me banging the cup in the first place. The 7-11Slurpee machine was running really slow and thick, and I was just trying to be helpful. (If you don't know, a Slurpee is a frozen, sticky, sweet, foamy drink.)

It's been a long process- trying to teach the boys to use the Slurpee machine correctly- and I wasn't about to let them mess up now: 1) Choose the cup, 2) put on the lid, 3) make sure the dispenser is centered in the hole (not close to the hole, not above the hole, and certainly not beside the hole), 4) twist handle, 4) stop when cup is not-quite-full, because the Slurpee stuff always expands, and it's one huge mess when it drips down the side of the cup and gets dirty hands all sticky.
But that's all beside the point. I was pounding the cup on the counter so the Slurpee stuff would even-out on the bottom of the cup so I could add more Slurpee. And whichever one's cup I was holding was being impatient- acting like I was actually going to give them a slurpee cup that was half full! Who was paying for this anyway? Why in the world would I pay for a full cup of Slurpee and only take half a cup?
And, am I not one of the most push-over-parents you've ever seen? Am I not the mom that always changes my mind and gives 3 cookies instead of two? Am I not the one who always buys the Happy Meal, even when I said that I wouldn't? Am I not the mom who lets them spend $2 each on video games, when I only said they could spend $1?
So it was hard not to be irritated when whoever made such a ridiculous statement. "Mom, the cup's not full yet."

And then it flashed on the screen in my mind: "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
Hmm. Was He talking to me?

"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"(Matthew 7:11)

Okay. Okay. So maybe I do act just like my kids sometimes. Maybe I do groan and say
"Is that all I'm getting, God?"
"Is that all the money I'm gonna have this month?"
"Is that all the wardrobe I can buy for my boys this season?"
"Is that all the honor I'm going to get?"
"Are those the only opportunities I'm going to have?"

As if God doesn't know what I need before I ask. As if God hasn't already given me more than I deserve. As if God doesn't have the fullest intention of filling my cup.

So God- bang my cup on the counter all you want. I trust you to fill my Slurpee.

Author's Bio:I'm a preacher's kid, pastor's wife, and southern belle who married a Southern California boy. Can you say "culture clash?" Scott and I have four boys - Max, Mark, Jackson, and Grant who keep us busy with homework and sports. Scott and I have been married 20 years and currently live in Northern California where we are beginning year five as church planters. I also teach 12th grade English and love it. I would love to hear from you. Email me anytime at melissa.g.mathews@gmail.com

Copyright:'Girl Meets God' Copyright 2009 © Melissa Mathews. 'Girl Meets God'
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