(Originally written in March 2008)
Lately I have been learning acceptance with joy.
Acceptance is not the hard part- it's the 'with joy' part that I sometimes find difficult to put into practice.
It always sounds so much easier than it really is.
It always sounds so much easier than it really is.
But, you know- it's been getting easier.
Praise God!
I have been remembering all day an analogy that a friend of mine used a few months ago.
She reminded us, by holding up a teacup, that God has poured us a cup for every day. He poured in it just what He wants us to have that day.
Not too little, not too much.
Not too sweet, not too bitter.
It is just exactly what He wants for us that day. My job is to drink it all.
God wants us to not only drink the cup He has for us each day, but drink it all. It's not enough just to taste it, and then when I decide I don't want it anymore, leave it be.
My job is to accept everything He brings my way with joy, knowing that if He chose it for me it is best.
It is not my choice what I must drink every day, it is His.
It is my choice, however, how I choose to drink it.
Even when it's bitter, or hard, or humiliating, or frustrating, or painful.... God poured it in my cup, I get to drink it with a smile and "in everything give thanks" (1 Thes. 5:18).
Praise the Lord that He is a kind and loving Father, and He always makes sure that there is plenty of joy and blessings sprinkled throughout our days, too. Sometimes we don't see them because our eyes are on ourselves- but they are always there.
He loves us so much more than we can fathom.
So I've been thinking a lot about teacups today.
With thankfulness everything is good.
I am so thankful that I can trust the Lord to know just exactly what I need when I need it.
I am so thankful that He fills my cup to overflowing with His grace to handle everything that comes my way every single day.
