Every year I try to have several sessions with the RGI girls. This year Nupi asked me to do the “Tea Cup Talk” that I have done in some form many times. Also she wanted a little time spent on the “Importance of Organization.” I nearly laughed, because in a country where time means nothing, why would they ever want to be organized? In addition, when you don’t have a lot of STUFF like we do, there is not need for organization. I said, “Lord, you are going to have to inspire me on this one.”
Well, every woman has a purse, so I stood and dumped mine on the table and then proceeded to empty all my “organized” little bags. There was paraphernalia all over the table. I then put my phone in the bottom of my purse and TRIED to jam all the stuff back into the purse, all the time asking, “Do you think it will all fit.” “No, Nani.” I could barely get the purse to close. Then Nupi called me. It was hysterical to see their faces as I tried to get to the bottom of the purse. Again, bits and pieces were all over the table. When I finally got to the phone everyone was giggling.
I then proceeded to gradually put every thing back into the small bags…they were all sure it would not fit… then into the purse and it zipped easily. Without another word, they all got the point of organization.
Then, onto the Tea Cup Talk. I had three teacups and a teapot sitting in front of me on the table.
“God has lovingly assigned each of us to be like a uniquely special teacup. Perhaps we’re an expensive antique cup, with a beautiful design set in gold. Maybe we see ourselves as an everyday teacup…useful, but not very pretty and maybe a little chipped around the edges. Or we could be a heavy-duty mug and not a teacup at all…just rugged unbreakable, and able to hold much.
Then God fills (I filled each cup from the teapot) our cup with our assigned portion, what HE determines best. Our PORTION is our looks, our color, our physical and emotional being, our abilities, talents, circumstances, roles, and relationships,
Sometimes we don’t like what’s been poured into our cup. We want to get rid or our portion (I poured one cup back into the pot.)
Every cup…whether pretty and dainty, or rough-hewn pottery…has a handle. God has placed OUR PORTION in OUR cup. You can either choose to grasp it by the handle and lift it to Him, saying,” I accept my portion, I accept this cup,” OR you can choose to SMASH your cup to pieces, saying, “God, I refuse my portion, This cup is not the right size for me, not pretty enough and I don’t like what You’ve put in it. I’ll control my life myself.” (I shattered a cup on the floor and scared all the girls)
Contentment will only come to us when we simply accept all things come from God’s hand and we know He is good, therefore our portion is good. Contentment is accepting God’s sovereign control over ALL of life’s circumstances.”
This is the main jest of the talk. The girls all asked for a copy of my notes. Bless their hearts.
At the last minute before going home, we went to Solomon’s HUMBLE little home for tea. The family was so excited to have us there. It crushes my heart at their dire circumstances.
His wife is making the tea on the floor. I know they spent way too much on the treats, but we were blessed to be a part of their celebration. Solomon ALWAYS has a smile. He has beautifully claimed contentment.
