Empty Cups and Early Morning Prayers

Picture in your mind with me...

You awakened this morning in your warm, comfy bed; you stood up, stretched, and reached for an empty cup that sits on your nightstand. You walked out your bedroom door and into your day...with your empty cup. You walked downstairs and your husband is sitting at the kitchen table, eating his breakfast. You went to him and said, "Is there anything you can put into my cup?" He smiled at you, and said, "Good Morning, Sweetheart!" (and dropped a coin into your cup) You walked away, happy that your cup had something in it.

You got into the car with your kids, to take them to school, and asked, "Can you put anything into my cup today?" They smiled and said, "Bye Mom! Love you!" (and each dropped a coin into your cup)

You called a friend on the phone and in your neediness, you asked, "Can you add something to my cup today?" and your friend told you what a good mom you are, or how adorable your new haircut is. (and dropped her coin into your cup)

You opened the fridge and ask the food to fill your cup...or in my case this morning, I asked the coffee-pot.

The rest of the day went along much the same, and by the end of the day, there were a dozen or so coins rattling around in the bottom of your proverbial cup....but your cup is far from full, and you ended your day, unsatisfied and empty of soul. Tomorrow morning, you will start all over again, with the begging; hoping for a fuller cup.

Humans can't stand a feeling of emptiness...we will find one way or another to satisfy our souls."

In Luke 4:18, Luke states that "I have been sent to preach the good news to the poor..." This word "Poor" has the meaning, "Subsisting on the alms of others"

He was sent to tell those who are going around with empty cups, that the good news is, there is only One who can fill their cups to satisfaction!

"Until we find satisfaction in Christ, we will wear others out with our needs."

When I heard this, I thought of all the people in my life, whom I have drawn all my satisfaction from, and worn completely out! Poor people...God bless them for sticking it out with me...and for those who gave up, Bless them too, Lord!

I wake up every morning, with human needs. I need to feel loved. I need to feel significant and like I matter in this world. I need to know that what I do is noticed. I need, I need, I need....and much to often, I go around hoping that I will have those needs met by other humans...flawed and just as needy.

Psalms 90:14...Satisfy us in the morning, with Your unfailing love (love that is not given according to how I lived my last 24 hours), that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days."

Psalms 63:1...."Oh God, you are my God, early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You..."

This is what I pray will soon by my reality...

I wake up and before I even get out of bed, I pour out my heart to God. Emptying myself of foolish thoughts, bad attitudes, selfish needs---myself. Then ask him to redeemingly fill my empty cup with His unfailing love--so as I go about my day, my cup will be so full of Christ, that any affirmation my family and friends shower on me, becomes the overflow of a truly satisfied soul...a full cup!

"Yes, we are meant to AFFIRM one another, but we cannot FULFILL one another."

Did you just hear all the people who know me, breathe a sigh of relief?? I did.

All quotes are from Beth Moore's teaching on "A WOMAN'S PRAYER LIFE...THE SACRED ROMANCE"