The Cup

I'm often amazed at the heart lessons I learn simply by watching my girls interact.

At least a few times a week, you will hear this argument within the walls of our home. "She's got my cup! MOM!! She's got my cup...it's MINE. I want it. I used it yesterday and I want it today."

"NO!! I want the green one today!! I had it!"

Inevitably someone ends up in tears.

We have at least a dozen different kid cups that they can choose from. Different colors. shapes. sizes. It's not like I am withholding anything from my girls. Really, go ahead. Take your pick from the shelf. It's just that you cannot have the one that someone else has. That cup is not up for the taking. So set your focus on the one I have placed in front of you. See, I set out two. Enough for both of of you. Filled with the exact same thing. Only the outside is different.

I find the whole repeated argument quite tiresome. unbelievably annoying. and all around petty.

Yet. Don't I do this as well?

Now obviously I'm not speaking of sippy cups. I speak of wanting what another person has. Of overlooking the cup in front of me...and eyeballing the one in front of someone else. I mean, how often have I said, "If only I had her _________." You fill in the blank.

I know I've filled it in with countless idle, jealous, envious words. Her voice. Her personality. Her nose. Her body. Her....blah blah blah blah blah. It's all to easy to set yourself up, wanting desparately to trade what you have for something that someone else has. Something that you think, for whatever reason, is better than what you ended up with. Even though both are filled with the exact same thing: the Holy Spirit. And even though both are equally as treasured by The Potter. I know it's not like HE's withholding anything from me!

But something in me cries out, "But I want that. She may have had it yesterday. But dang it! I want it today. I'm tired of this pink cup. I want the green one!" *can't you just hear my adult version of an emotional --though silent--tantrum?*

I'm sure the Lord finds the whole process quite tiresome. unbelievably annoying. and all around petty. For He has placed before me a cup filled to the brim and overflowing with all sorts of giftings and blessings.

And all he asks of me is to "taste and see that the Lord is good."

Help me Lord to drink deeply of the cup you have set before me. Setting my eyes upon You...and not the person sipping innocently next to me.