My Cup Runneth Over

Sister Rebecca is a nun at the Catholic school located in downtown Tawney, North Carolina. During her lunch hour, she enjoys a cup of coffee and frequents the nearby park to feed the ducks at the pond. Because she’s had this routine for years, she became quite familiar with the locals.

There is one woman in particular that stood out to Sister Rebecca among the rest. She sat on the same park bench every day at the same time. She appeared to be homeless and was never seen talking with anyone. One day Sister Rebecca sat by the woman and introduced herself. The woman did not respond nor acknowledge her at all. Sister Rebecca was able to see that the woman’s bag had the name Mattie written on it. Sister Rebecca asked the woman, “Do you go by the name Mattie?” The woman turned to her in puzzlement. Sister Rebecca smiled at her and pointed to her bag. The woman clinched her bag and turned away in obvious annoyance.

As the months passed, Sister Rebecca would approach the bench where Mattie sat and sit with her daily. Though Sister Rebecca would sit and talk to Mattie about her day and tell stories of her childhood, Mattie never responded. One day Sister Rebecca sat with Mattie and asked her, “Mattie do you know who Jesus is?” Like any other day, Mattie did not respond or say a word. Sister Rebecca began telling Mattie the story of Jesus. When Sister Rebecca realized that her lunch hour was coming to an end, she stood as though she were about to leave. In that moment, Mattie reached out and grabbed her arm saying, “Can I walk with you as you finish!” Overwhelmed by joy, Sister Rebecca grabbed her hands and helped her up.

After hearing the story, Mattie had a look upon her face indicative of letdown. Sister Rebecca asked Mattie, “Is there something wrong?” Mattie sighed and replied, “Sister, I have done a lot of bad things in my life. I lost my kids years ago because I was an alcoholic and drug addict. I lost my house and car in the process and sold my body to make ends meet on the streets. I hate myself for all that I have done and often think about taking my life. How is it that I’m worthy to be a follower of the man you speak so highly of?”

Sister Rebecca immediately stopped and purchased a bottle of water from a vender along the way and said: “Mattie you see this coffee at the bottom of this cup, this represents all of the sin from your past. The water in this bottle represents GOD’s forgiveness and the Holy Spirit. When we repent for our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, this is what happens.”

Sister Rebecca slowly began pouring the water from the bottle into the coffee cup. The water slowly began to fill the cup, making the coffee lighter in color. The cup was suddenly full and began to run over, but Sister Rebecca continued pouring. The coffee in the cup was forced over the edges until the cup was filled with only clear water, yet the pouring continued. Sister Rebecca explained to Mattie saying, “Jesus died for our sins that we may receive forgiveness through purification. He pours into our souls the gift of the Holy Spirit, forcing our past transgressions from the cup He has prepared. When our cup is filled, He continues to pour, allowing our cup to runneth over as a fountain to others. You see Mattie, Jesus loves you enough to overrun my cup that it may fill yours!” Mattie fell to her knees weeping profusely, thanking the Lord she had never known.

Brethren, no man is without sin, which is why GOD sent His only begotten Son to bear the cross. But fear not, because there is forgiveness for our sins upon repentance. Our Heavenly Father has no expectation of perfection for man because we are made from a world of sin.

Today, I honor this message with scripture from our Holy Bible:

8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 

9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 

10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 

11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Luke 5:8-11

Have no fear of past transgression, for they are no longer yours. Repent and allow GOD to begin filling your cup.

My prayer for you today:

“Heavenly Father, we have allowed sin into the cups of which You prepared for each of us. We pray that you will offer unto us a steady pour of Your Holy Spirit that our cups may once again be filled with cleanliness. Lord when our cup is full, we ask that You allow them to overrun into the cup of others. Make us fishers of man O’ Lord that we may glorify Your name among those in darkness. In Your son Jesus name, Amen…”

May GOD bless you all today….

By: C. D. McCloud