Did you leave room for cream?

Room for Cream

"The thief comes only to steal, and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10 (NIV)

 

Today’s devotion from Encouragement for Today from Psalms 31 Ministries dealt with coffee, my life line, and was absolutely wonderful. Titled ‘Room for Cream” and written by Marybeth Whalen, it discussed how often we clutter our lives with all the “have-to’s” and ignore the need to add the things that bring us joy and help us “reach that place of abundance Jesus wants us to live in now”.

Cream adds sweet, light and rich texture to our coffee. God wants to add these elements to our life. I can add sweet to my life by making time for my friends; listening to my daughter and husband intentionally when they talk to me; scheduling fun things on my calendar; reading books for the fun of it; and taking time to rest and recharge.

I add light to my life when I spend time in God’s word; journaling about what He has said to me; pouring out my anxieties and worries to Him and listening for His response.

I add richness to my life by using my time and talents for others; tithing and giving to missions; providing meals and/or words of encouragement to others and surrendering to God’s word.

These things are not going to happen without intentional effort on my part. They require action. Adding these things to my daily schedule will help me reach my life of abundance. I don’t know about you but I want to leave room for cream in my life.

Dear Lord, help me to live the life of abundance You called for me to live—a life that is sweet and white and rich. Help me remember that I have to leave room in my life for abundance or it will always elude me. Help me to seek You first and let You show me how to leave room for cream. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps:

If you brew coffee at home or order a cup at a coffee shop today, while you're waiting for it spend time praying for God to show you ways you can leave room for cream in your life. Resolve to think about having an abundant life every time you fix your coffee.

Reflections:

What does an abundant life look like? What would fall in my sweet, white and rich categories?

Power Verses:

Psalm 65:11, "You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance." (NIV)

Luke 6:38, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (NIV)