My cup runneth over

My husband and I always talk about how we can fill each other's 'cup'.   If you have ever read, "The Five Love Languages," the premise is the same, it is just filling your 'love tank'.    There are many times when I have been able to look at my children and family and say, "My cup runneth over."  My husband and I also know that when our cups run over, we have plenty to share with other people.  I think this is important when serving.  It helps you stay fresh and not get burnt out.   While it is important to recharge your batteries from time to time and make sure that your cup is full, I believe that sometimes we miss the mark. I believe that a big part of filling that cup can come from serving others.  As was the case for me while serving our homeless last night.  My focus was a bit blurry yesterday going into serving.  My family wasn't with me (this is really our thing-so that put me a bit off my game) and I was coming off of a week that contained some very personal and tough decisions our family had to make regarding a friend.  My mental game was a C at best.  We had gone to our normal stops and we were getting ready to head to a new stop.  We then received new information that the people at our new stop were kicked out and they were really at a new place instead.  Once we got there, I realized our people were not there. I know because of connections that were made that the trip was not in vein, however at that moment I could not help but feel that it was a waste.  Moreover, I was worried about our volunteers and the level of disorganization I was bringing to the table.  The night was not getting any younger.  At this point I was truly in a daze.  I finally decided that no matter who was with me, I was going to press on to this new last stop because I had given my word to this young woman that I would be there.  The difference between this last stop and others was that this one was right outside of a homeless shelter.  The experiences my husband and I have had there have not been good.  There is always fighting outside and when you walk inside this cloud of hopelessness and sadness just hangs over you.  When we have taken items such as food and toiletries, people just cleaned house. 
Well, after some time walking in the alley and speaking to a few homeless, we decided we would go ahead and try our luck out front (which is NOT where we wanted to be) to get rid of our food.  It would just go to waste, so we might as well feed people.  I can honestly say this is where my night turned around and I once again knew the Holy Spirit was there working with us and protecting our group.  The usually fighting and jawing that took place had turned to laughter and fellowship.  We finished distributing our food and set back to storage to pick up some blankets for a few that lived outside on the pavement and had nothing.  It was now almost dark and we were back at the shelter passing out blankets to those stuck out on the street because there are not enough beds at the shelter.  It was so awesome pulling up in the parking lot and seeing the excitement on the faces of those who saw that we actually did come back with blankets as promised.  On my way home I was now mentally cooked, but somehow not completely drained.  Showing love to the men (and a few women) outside of the shelter did something for my soul.  Knowing that we showed them the love of Christ through a few blankets just once again showed me what an awesome God we serve!  He was able to move through blankets, spaghetti, salad, and apples!!  You might be asking yourself how I really know he moved through those things.  Well that came earlier today.  After church mom decided to take a nap today.  A long nap.  When I woke up my husband walked in and said, "You really did it now."  Well, a long story short is that while I was 'refreshing' myself, he received two calls on his personal cell phone (not our ministry line).  The first one was a gentleman who worked at the shelter we were at last night.  He said that he received the number from one of the guys that was there for breakfast.   This gentleman said he knew the people of which everyone was talking about and asked if they wanted our number.  Michael assumed it was one of the guys from Greenlawn stop because that is the only place where he has given his number (I know, I know he shouldn't give out his number) and for some reason, where they call him Pastor Mike.  The guy on the phone confirmed that we were the group with the little woman running around and the bikers. After Michael confirmed, this man started talking about how everyone was talking about our group at the shelter this morning.  He said that everyone loved us and he was curious of when we would be able to come back!!  Yeah God!!  Since I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, it was no surprise to me this morning when our Pastor spoke about not letting fear take away our voice. ( It was like in the last blog when I mentioned how many times fear had taken away my ability to make a difference because I was afraid to obey and look silly to someone-fear had taken away my voice!)  My fear of the shelter being too rough and my fear of our volunteers being frustrated at my lack of organization almost took OUR voice away.  To think that we touched the lives of enough for their to be a buzz about our group was unreal to me.  I am so humbled to think that God used me.  I am humbled that God used any of our volunteers.  I am humbled to think that we serve a God that is so powerful He could use the rumble of a bike to reach people!  We moved past our fear and He used our voice.  Words cannot describe . . . .  My husband then received a second phone call from a man whom he had spoken to before.  He had been helping the homeless for quite some time on his own and someone from our church suggested that he should go out with us some time.  He happened to be at the shelter last night (he was inside) at the same time we were.  He told Michael that there was this group there with a little woman running around and some bikers.  (not sure I appreciate the little woman comments but I'll let it go for the greater good :))  He said that the shelter was buzzing about this group.  He called my husband to suggest that we hook up with that group some time.  My husband laughed (because he thought the little woman comments were funny) and said, "That little woman was my wife and the bikers were a part of our group."  Wow. That's it:  wow. 
I can honestly say the last week had sucked up quite a bit of my cup and I was running dry.  However, at the moment my husband spoke of the impact that we made on those at the shelter, I can honestly say, "My cup runneth over!"  Praise God!  How blessed am I, that I could bless another and have my cup refilled!!??
My question for you today is, "How are you getting your cup refilled?"  Maybe you do need to get away and recharge your batteries.  That is something we could all use from time to time.  But what I am asking is how are you keeping your cup full on a day to day basis?  Are you in the Word?  Are you spending time daily talking with God?  Are you busy being His hands and feet or are you busy watching television or running from this meeting to that one?  My challenge to you today is to spend some time with God and find out where He wants you to be.  I promise, if you will obey and use your voice, he will make sure your cup is full!! 
 God Bless,
Nicole