When you're feeling empty …

I didn’t mean for it happen, the dates just all fell together. Four speaking engagements for me in just eight days.  Sprinkled among these was the aftermath of our move, a funeral Jeff officiated (those things aren’t planned!), a baptism, a membership class, and a Sunday morning speaking engagement for Jeff. Truly, we don’t usually live like that, and now I’m reminded all over again why.

Something about milkshakes and straws. 

It was all wonderful. And, especially the ministry done in the fold of our sweet WCC home. Those women give me life, I tell you. It is truly a joy to be with them.

But oh as I flew home from Bend I ached for all those arms, both little and big. Their two little faces, dirty, smiled wide as I climbed into the car. Heidi had on a pajama shirt and old sweatpants. Dutch asked me to never leave again. They love their daddy, that’s not it, it’s just that if we’re all really honest, everyone in the family thrives on Mama’s milkshake.

Everyone’s got a straw and they all want me. 

And you know what? That’s perfect. I am the perfectly flavored milkshake for my family and I love that they all want a taste. I love that I can nourish their souls and care for their bodies. I love that God made me to feed these two little lambs and this one terrific man.

It only gets complicated when I start passing out straws to everyone else. 

Good people. They deserve a straw, right? Maybe …

A friend recently read me this quote, from Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s Gifts from the Sea:

With our pitchers, we attempt sometimes to water a field, not a garden.

God has graciously given us a pitcher that is just the right size for all that He intends us to water.  In truth, some of our pitchers are bigger or smaller than others. My friend with seven children has a bigger pitcher than me.  Her milkshake is just much bigger than mine. But whatever the size of our pitcher, we just have to be careful we’re only watering our garden, not the field next door.

We were made a milkshake just the right size.

Who gets a straw?

We have to use discretion, don’t we? Must hand out those straws with caution that takes courage.  

Whenever we say yes to someone we say no to someone else, true?

Looking back over our busy-season (which is over, by the way!), I don’t doubt that all our commitments were “of God.”  I do believe He called us to each and gave us the strength for each one. But I also believe that part of His purpose was to remind me to be so careful about to whom I hand a straw. 

Who is in your garden, the place you were meant to water?

And you, delicious milkshake that you are, who will get a straw today?

Might I suggest, to you and to myself, to hand them out with the caution that takes courage?

{Question for you: How do you remain disciplined and deliberate about who gets a straw in your life? Thanks for sharing your thoughts and wisdom, and as always, thanks for reading.}