Cup Full...and Running Over

Life is really getting in the way of my blogging lately. Well, then again, I guess I wouldn't have much to blog about if it weren't for my life. {grin}

It feels like our family is in one of those "spots" we find ourselves in from time to time. You know, the calendar is full, Brad's workload is tremendous, we've had lots of fun house guests, Brad travelled out of town overnight, and the list goes on and on.

In the midst of all of this activity, God has been doing something in my heart. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but, I am (kind of). {grin} I am usually a better listener when my life is quieter. This season of my life has been anything but quiet - quite loud, in fact. However, my God knew that my well was dry...and in His perfect timing, He is filling my cup. Lent has always been a special time for me...walking the path of suffering with Jesus and remembering how badly I need a Savior. That sort of love - sacrificial to the point of death - is so difficult for me to understand. However, I am so thankful that it isn't mine to comprehend...but, just to accept. So, I have spent several weeks being reminded of God's amazing love for me in spite of my rotten, sinful life. It's humbling and very overwhelming. My heart has been so full of gratitude for His grace that I have often found myself weeping through my daily Bible study, or during my prayers with my little men, or while a song is playing on my Ipod, or while I am driving down the road, or while singing a hymn at church....you get my point, my heart is full to overflowing and it is leaking out of my eyes! {grin}

On Good Friday, I was doing the bedtime routine with Sam (5) and Luke (3). Luke was overly tired and had difficulty listening. Sam, on the other hand, was totally drawn into the words and pictures of Jesus trial, suffering, and death. His eyes were brimming with tears as he shared that it made his heart sad that Jesus died. At one point, Sam said, "I sure hope this story gets better...it's making me sad." My tear-stained face broke into a smile as I thought of how thankful I am that it hurts his heart to know that Jesus died for him. We talked about why Jesus had to die, how He took our punishment (this concept was so foreign to Sam - he said he wouldn't dream of taking a "time out" for Luke), we talked about how much God loves us. It was a special moment that is forever etched into my heart and mind. A gift from the Father to me and my son. Sam, Luke, and I said our prayers and then I kissed them goodnight. Sweet.

I was so looking forward to celebrating Easter...Brad's brother was coming to visit us (always fun!), so it would be even more special. I had prepared some of our dinner on Saturday evening, filled some baskets with goodies for each boy, and then went to bed. I woke up the following morning covered in HIVES! Red, blotchy, incredibly itchy hives covered my body from head to toe. I was unable to go to worship and I was crushed. I really wanted to be there - to see the lilies, sing the songs, see the little ones in their Easter pastels, and to be with my church family on this special day. God had another plan. Our celebration was more intimate, more informal, more simple, and more dear to me. We ate a yummy dinner, we laughed, we played, we searched for eggs, we ate candy, we shared lots of hugs, and we remembered how good God had been to us.

Our dear friends (missionaries who once served in Ecuador) taught our family this sweet little song from my childhood in Spanish. My children all love to sing this song and it's dear to us. It sums up how I am feeling these days.

"Running over, running over

My cup is full and running over

Since the Lord saved me, I'm as happy as can be

My cup is full and running over"