You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup
I’ve always heard it said, “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” I never realized how many areas of life that applied to. It applies spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. It applies to my role as a wife and a mother, as a friend, and as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
When someone goes out of their way to spend time with you and show you that you are important, it fills your cup.
As my firstborn grew, I realized how important it was not only for him to see my cup full, but that I fill his cup every day. It doesn’t mean I have to take him to McDonalds or the park every day, it can be simple things that fill his cup. In my son’s case, it’s setting time aside each night to spend with him in his room. No phones, no television, no distractions. We read books, build with magnetic tiles, or play ball. All things that I should be able to do without distraction to fill his cup. When we prioritize time with him, his mood changes, his attitude is better, and he falls asleep much easier.
Those things aren’t as easy with a newborn at home, but I can still try. Even if it’s for 30 minutes during the baby’s nap, my toddler appreciates that attention. During this newborn season, we have our one on one time while the baby naps. Our bedtime routine has definitely changed, but we always say our bedtime prayer together before he lays down and he loves that his baby brother gets to be part of that now! Lately he has been very into telling stories and jokes. That is something I can do with him while feeding or rocking the baby. He gets so much joy out of it, thus filling his cup!
I’m linking this game I found a week ago. It’s the perfect interactive game for his age and we can play it anywhere from 5 minutes before nap to 20 minutes and go through all the cards. You roll a dice and draw a card. You have to do what the card says. There are sound cards, activity cards, and action cards. Since he knows the categories, he doesn’t have to know how to read to understand from the picture on the card what he is supposed to do. He gets so much joy out of it because some of the cards say to gallop like a horse or walk slow like a turtle. Both of which he got to see me do while holding a baby. He laughed so hard! I realized how much he loved the simplicity of playing that game with us.
I realize how important it is because I am not perfect so there are days I am running on empty. When I am running on empty, it’s reflected in my attitude towards those around me. It’s hard to be patient and show grace when your cup is empty. Patience and grace are two of the most important fruits in parenting. Also, two of the hardest to show as a parent.
I said all that to say, it can be hard to make sure your cup is full. However, it’s true, you cannot pour from an empty cup, not effectively.
Psalm 23:5 says “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.”
In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he said “I die daily.” The Amplified Bible says that means to die to self. That means that I have to go to God with all my imperfections and short comings and repent. When I wake each morning, and throughout the day, I need to continually ask God to make HIS fruits known in my life. His fruits are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. When my cup is full of HIS fruits, and those around me can see those fruits, I am better equipped to fill their cup! It allows me to fill the cups of my husband, children, family, friends, and those around me.
Some of you are thinking, “I do not need all of that to fill my child’s cup by spending one on one time with them every day.” Listen up, momma. Motherhood is your ministry. Not just on Sunday and Wednesday. Every day. Do you know what the verse after Psalm 23:5 says? Psalm 23:6 says “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
I can’t speak for you, momma, but I want HIS goodness and mercy to follow me and my family. I want it for my husband and for my children.
Allow me to challenge you: Ask God to fill your cup with His fruits. Then make time for your family in a way that will fill THEIR cup.
I’m glad we are on this motherhood journey together!
Blessings!
