Filled Up

I'm working on material for a women's retreat, and the theme is Fill My Cup. Talk about an appropriate topic for this season of life! I love it so much when I'm given a speaking topic and end up learning so much personally as I prepare. I think that's one of the best bonuses of this work I do.

As I've created my outline and begun to write the talks, I'm immersed in Scripture and illustrations that help me understand the importance of allowing God to fill my cup and making sure I'm living in such a way that I'm ready to receive whatever He has to offer.

And then He sent yesterday.

These last two months have been kind of like hibernation for me. The extreme cold, the crazy mix of ice and snow, the potential for germs...they've all kept me tucked away at home. I am not complaining about that, because I haven't forgotten the commuting days of being forced out in all those messes. I'm beyond grateful to be able to stay home when it's rough. But apparently two months of staying home makes me long for a little human interaction.

Early in January, I had plans to meet with one of the pastors at our church, but I had to cancel on her, because our plans fell in the middle of Nita's ICU stay. We finally rescheduled, and our meeting was yesterday.

We met at a coffee shop, so obviously she didn't get any resistance from me on that. :) We ordered our coffee and hunkered down in a back corner that looked just like a living room.

And we stayed for two and a half hours.

We talked about absolutely everything under the sun that I trust was out there somewhere, even though it wasn't visible in Indiana.

We talked as pastor to church attender. We talked as friends. We talked as women. We talked as co-laborers in ministry. We talked as fellow dreamers.

It was lovely in every single way. (There might be a chance she was mentally slowly backing toward the door and/or wishing she could text an SOS to someone to rescue her, but if so, she graciously never showed a sign of it.)

I left the coffee shop feeling so full - and not of coffee. Full of life. Full of excitement for new opportunities. Full of relief that I'm not entirely crazy. Full of affirmation that I'm doing a few things right. Full of the reminder that I'm seen and loved.

Fill my cup, Lord. I've prayed it recently. I've prayed it in preparation for the retreat, and I've prayed it for my own needs. And yesterday He poured a big pitcher of life straight into my winter-weary soul.

If you're in need of a fill-up too, I hope God sends you an extra special blessing today!