Full and Overflowing

by Michelle Drake

Fall is in the air.  I can see it in the changing colors of the leaves and smell it in the early morning air.  The once vibrant painted colors of flowers have been replaced by the hues of deep yellow, orange and purple.  I definitely know it is here because the male population in my home is all a buzz about football.  Yes, fall is here.  During this season, like most of you, I am thinking about the fall events that have been placed on the calendar, pondering an early start on Christmas shopping and making plans for our Thanksgiving family gathering.  During November, we will no doubt hear a Sunday morning message encouraging us to “count our blessings” and “be thankful in everything.”  I love all that fall entails.  While we should “count our blessings,” and “give thanks in everything” daily, November is our designated month to celebrate Thanksgiving and to be thankful.  I, like many of you, have much to be thankful for and could easily make a list of all the ways the Lord had blessed me and my family.  But my question for the Lord this Thanksgiving is, “Lord, have I blessed others?” 

I am reminded of the sermon illustration comparing Christians to a kitchen sponge.  It’s comfortable for us to sit back and absorb all the blessings that the Lord has for us.  But when it is time, do we “squeeze” out the access water over those who need to be blessed.  How about the illustration comparing Christians to an empty glass?  The Lord comes in and fills us up to capacity, but He keeps on pouring to overflowing.  That overflow is what we are to share with others. 

Recently, the parent of one of my current students bestowed a tremendous blessing upon me.  I was in the nail salon and this particular parent walked in, asked my manicurist what the cost was for my services and then she paid it!  I was blown away as were the patrons in the salon!  At that critical moment, I had two choices.  I could have thought “Wow, now I have some extra cash in my purse!’ (which I did) or I could have decided to pay it forward and bless someone else.  The Lord immediately spoke into my spirit about blessing someone else.  Isn’t God awesome?    Blessing others does not always have to be in monetary ways. Although, some people do need that particular blessing.   It can be the simple act of a smile or an encouraging word or a handwritten note.  How about taking the single woman at your work some home-cooked food?  A simple, “Is there anything I can do to help you?” will speak volumes of love.  Just taking the time to really listen to someone is a rare commodity in today’s fast paced driven world.   E-mail thank you’s or special cards are loved by all.  And let’s not forget the traditional phone call saying, “I’ve missed seeing you.”  Basically, it’s saying to people, “I notice you, I care about you and I want to be an asset in your life.”   Remember the phrase, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”  How true. 

So, as you go about the busyness of fall, ask the Lord to speak to your heart how you can bestow blessings upon others.  Ask him to make you keenly aware of other people and their situations and needs.  Ask him to make you a ready vessel to act in ways that may seem “out of the ordinary” for you.  I know if you do this, He will bless you in ways far and above measure.