Lord, Make Me A Mug

Here with me is an oversized mug of steaming coffee with Van Gogh's "Starry, Starry Night" wrapped around it. The mug was a gift from Tom when we made a trip to Dallas for a music conference 16 years ago.  My sweet husband doesn't like coffee but he bought a piping hot cup for me along with this souvenir.  Sturdy and deep, it holds enough to allow ponderings, meditations and writings to roll without an excessive number of refill breaks.  Other similar mugs wait on their wide flat bottoms behind the warm wood of my kitchen cabinet above the dishwasher.  Cleansed and stored, they're in easy reach.  Many of their generous exteriors offer encouraging Scriptures. Could a day start with any better foundation than these? 

"‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love our neighbor as yourself.’"  Luke 10:27

"I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me," Philippians 4:13

"This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it," Psalm 118:24

Meanwhile, dainty teacups gather dust in the china cabinet and high on kitchen shelves. When disturbed by heavy steps or by intruders searching for the butter dish, they  rattle reminders of their frailness.  Lovely to look at, they're easily broken and rarely used.  Even the sturdier ones demand to be refilled too often to be of much use. In addition, teacups demand a saucer for their tiny bottoms. They're finicky and must be set gently in the exact center circle of the saucer or they slip and slide and spill.  These beautiful little divas seem to demand more attention than the joy and good they give. 

Lord, make me a mug!

Lord, Make us mugs with insides big enough to fill with Your warmth and Presence. Make our arms wide to hold and love others. Mold us into vessels You delight to use - accessible, cleansed, and waiting.  Forgive us when You reach for us and we rattle noisily in Your Hands. We don't want to be dependent on others or demanding of others, but filled with You to bless them and to bless You.  May our presence remind them of You and encourage them to look to You to strengthen them.  
In the Name of Jesus, Who fills our cups (or mugs) to overflowing!