My friend Frances has the gift of hospitality and a love of all things tea! Last weekend she, with the help of her friend Kathy, opened her home and invited 12 women to join her for a Valentine's Tea. Together they poured out a refreshing drink of love and acceptance into the hearts of these women and they enjoyed an afternoon of overflowing joy! This is Frances reading the "My Cup Runneth Over" devotional to the women.
One of the things I loved most about the tea was that she and Kathy reached out and invited a few new women in our church... women they had not even met before... along with those who have been coming awhile. So there were connections made and new friendships born.
And of course, it's always fun to see my printables being put to good use! I was told the women loved them.
I love how Frances gathered together a few of her teapots to illustrate the message of the devotional so visually. In the devotional, I share about how we are all God's teapots, created as unique vessels... some of us are short and stout as the children's song sings, some of us are tall and slender and many of us are somewhere in between. And it doesn't matter to God if you're bright yellow stoneware with red polka dots, natural shades of earthenware, or white china with graceful painted roses... because the truth is we are all cracked pots, blemished and chips by life! I'm sure you would agree.
The sad thing is that sometimes we can get so caught up in worrying about the appearance of our vessel, that we forget all about the incredible treasure that dwells within us... the love and power of the Lord Jesus Christ that is able to flow through us to bless, refresh and influence our world more than we can imagine... if we will only allow Him to fill us up daily and tip us over whenever and on whomever He chooses.
1 Samuel 16:7 says "man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart."
Lord Jesus, thank You for filling us with Your lavish love... so much so that there is plenty to overflow and give away! Forgive us for putting so much emphasis on our outer appearance that we sometimes forget that within us dwells the God of the universe... "Christ in me... the hope of glory!" We are Your teapot Lord... fill us up and tip us over... for your glory and the blessing of many. Amen