Love Poured Out
I was visiting my daughter and grandkids. My daughter made me a cup of coffee and I sat at her kitchen table with the grandkids to enjoy my afternoon brew. Ahhhh nothing like coffee and enjoying my grandkids. Then…out of nowhere…I don’t even know how it happened… I spilled my entire cup of joe. All of it. On her table. All over the floor. It seemed to be leaking out from everywhere.
My daughter jumped into action as she pulled out towels and cleaning supplies.
“I’m so sorry,” I said, “I don’t know how this happened,” as I helped her clean it up.
“It’s no big deal, Mom, I’ll just get you another cup.”
Monica wasn’t flustered in the least even though I had just spilled hot coffee all over her house.
Then…
I began to think back to when she was little and would spill her milk or juice. There were many things which caused me to get flustered while raising my kids but spilled milk—or any other splash—wasn’t one of them. In fact, I’d often laugh. We all make mistakes, right?
And this verse came to mind…
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon and you will be pardoned. Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”
-Luke 6:37-38
What we pour into the world comes back. It doesn’t seem logical that we pour out something and somehow it pours back at us. But in our relationships, it makes total sense.
Have you noticed areas we are most harsh with others we have been doubly harsh with ourselves? Pay attention to where you tend to see faults in others and most likely you can find that same fault within yourself.
Whatever we “press” into our “bushel” will come “running” out. Whatever we “press” into ourselves will pour out and run over.
Perhaps as we strive to be our kindest selves, it starts with being kind to ourselves?
Perhaps to be a nonjudgmental person, we need to start with not judging ourselves?
Perhaps being an accepting and loving person, begins with accepting and loving ourselves?
Want more from Lucille Williams? Order a copy of “The Impossible Kid: Parenting a Strong-Willed Child with Love and Grace.” For marriage tips “From Me to We,” and “The Intimacy You Crave” can help you get the relationship you dream of. For weekly encouragement subscribe to LuSays today.
