Though this scene unfolded on my dirty kitchen floor two years ago, I think of it often when my soul is parched and dry. And I thank Jesus for the poignant reminder of His standing invitation to drink freely from His cup.
Hannah had just filled a plastic pink cup to the brim with ice cold water when eighteen-month-old-Maggie came bounding into the kitchen. Too busy bustling to notice the seven-year-old obstacle in her way, Maggie bumped full speed into Hannah's knees.
The jolt jiggled Hannah's cup of water, and a stream of wet sprinkles promptly overflowed onto Maggie's small blond head.
I expected my littlest one to respond with her standard cantankerous cry of frustration. But instead, she tilted her pudgy chin upward in curiosity. When she spotted Hannah's pink cup, Maggie's eyes lit with understanding. She patted her damp curls and began to giggle with delight.
Then, with a spark of mischief in her eyes, Maggie took two steps backwards and sprung for Hannah's knees once again. With a happy squeal, she lunged into her sister's middle and froze in anticipation right below Hannah's armpit. This time, when the water jostled out of Hannah's cup, little sister danced gleefully in the spillover.
Belly laughs bubbled from the depths of my toddler's tummy, while her big sister's giggles added harmony to their unplanned song of joy. Over and over, the two girls bumped and giggled. Spun in sprinkles. Refilled the pink plastic cup and pirouetted in puddles on the sticky kitchen floor.
When the spontaneous fun was over, I mopped up the lingering water and thought about the similarities between my bustling little girl and her mother. Like my toddler, I often race through my day oblivious to the One who stands nearby with His cup filled to the brim.
While Hannah's pink cup contained only water, my Savior's cup teems with everything my thirsty soul needs.
What if, like Maggie, I bump into Jesus as I move about my day?
Not by chance, but by choice.
What if I take time to notice Him standing quietly in my midst as I wipe bottoms and floors and fingers?
What if by dropping to my knees I can collide with His?
Surely those holy bumps would change my day. And my heart. Perhaps, like a belly-laughing toddler, I'd find myself toe tapping in puddles of living water.
And maybe, just maybe, as I lift my face heavenward and dance in the overflow of grace sloshing from my Savior's cup, I'll discover that one bump isn't nearly enough.
The Overflow: Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.
-Revelation 22:17
Still counting my way to 1000 Gifts. Won't you join me?
836. Branches bejeweled with glistening white. Unexpected snow! Unexpected beauty!
837. God who works through my weakness.
838. Friday night take-out on the couch with my man.
839. Lizzy dressed in fairy-wings with a pink rocking guitar slung over her shoulder... the fun and freedom of little girl play :)
840. The prayers of our youth splashed across the walls of the furnace room... proof of a generation desperate for God.
841. An apology slipping from the lips of my strong-willed son... small signs of a softening heart and a growing-humble spirit.
842. A Savior whose cup flows over. Living Water. Strength for today.
843. Belly laughs before bed. A happy end to a happy day.
Joining up with Anne today...
