February Floodgates...
Dear Friends,
Every month I pray and fluff my brain as I try to come up with something worthy of your time and attention. And then every month “whoosh” it happens. God opens the floodgates and gives me something. Something real. Something pertinent. Something…squishy.
Now before I proceed, I need to point out that I am using this information with permission; however, the names have been changed to assure confidentiality.
Well, it seems that one morning in a rush to get ready for church, uh… Jerald ran sink water to wash his face, threw a wash cloth in while the water warmed, and then scurried down the stairs to tidy things up. After all, we can’t waste time when the clock is ticking to get to worship.
Unbeknownst to Jerald and his darling wife Elsie, no Elisa (that sounds more exotic), the washcloth was sucked to the drain like a vacuum, and consequently plugged up the sink. Not good. Not good at all.
Hence, the water filled, overflowed, graciously touched everything in its path as it cascaded to the floor, and then ran through the vents to the first level of the house. All the while, Jerald swept innocently downstairs.
Now Beth—I mean Elisa—had heard the noise of the water running and thought it rather odd that the sweeper and water should run simultaneously. Hmmm. But she dismissed the trickling and got back to the business of makeup. Very tedious business indeed.
By the time the tidal wave was discovered, there was considerable floodage to bathroom, and a brown tinted outline of the crime on the kitchen ceiling. Therefore, the damage done, Jerald marked this event as an opportunity to remember grace the next time his dear wife, what’s her name? oh, yeah... Elisa, does something similar—and sometimes of a much more damaging—nature. Smile.
Now that I have given you this most important “word picture” I want to offer this story more thought.
Someday, I would like it said of me that I demonstrated a life overflowing. A life that touches everything in its path with generosity, sensitivity to others, faith, and love.
Unfortunately, there are many days when I’m a trickle short of a surplus. I have overflows—but not always good ones. For instance, I have those overflowing hormones that seem to take siege on my body. I’m not sure, but I think I’m peri-menopausal or something like that. They went through all the “stages” one day on Oprah, but I was in the restroom when they covered my particular phase which is somewhere between being quite comfortable with myself, to standing on the brink of a mid-life crises.
And if it counts, I do have the overflowing need to try to control everything within a ten mile radius of my home—including the mailman and the weather. Along with the generous instinct to yell at the dog when she piddles on all our visitors shoes. It’s a good idea to skip the sandals when you’re gearing up to go to the Duewel’s.
But this week, I was drawn to a passage in Psalms as a good friend of mine is watching her grandfather deteriorate from illness. What a difficult thing it is to see someone we love suffer. I have no eloquent words to comfort this type of grief. Yet, while I pray for strength for the family and short suffering for her grandfather, I am reminded of the “flooding” comforts of God’s word. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
When it is his time, my dear friend’s grandfather will leave behind an amazing legacy. In all, their family consists of thirty-eight individuals who have recognized a need for a Savior in their life. Certainly, this mans love for his family and God has spilled over and touched everyone in his path. A life overflowing!!
And even though, some days, the bounty seems to miss the cup and go right to the sink, I need to take comfort—God’s love is intentional, complete, and overflowing into a dry and thirsty soul like mine.
Blessings,
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