The Oasis - July 29, 2020
Author: Rev. Estelle Margarones
July 29, 2020
July 29, 2020
Rev. Estelle Margarones
I prayed about what to share with you today. The phrase that immediately sprang to mind is, “Fill your own cup first.”
Humans can live for about 3 weeks without food, but only approximately 3 days without water. Water is an essential nutrient. In Psalm 23 we read, “my cup overflows” meaning we have more than enough. 'Enough' could refer to physical things such as food, housing, or money. It could also refer to patience, grace, or peace.
Fill your own cup first may be a call to satisfy your own needs before caring for another. When we travel by air, we hear the safety directions instructions directing us to secure our own masks first before assisting others.
Fill your own cup first reminds us that we are not God. We don’t reign supreme with the ability to care for others while neglecting ourselves.
Fill your own cup first could be a great reminder of the absolute necessity for self-care for all of those in helping professions.
Fill your own cup first is a reminder that mothers and fathers and grands who are working and caring for children need to make sure that they find time to nourish themselves.
Fill your own cup first means that unless it is your job to be on-call, you need not be on-call 24/7. It means get some rest.
Fill your own cup first doesn’t make you selfish. It does ensure that you have the life-giving sustenance to allow you to be able to fill the cup for others.
What is it that nourishes you in mind, body, and spirit? Fill your own cup first!
Psalm 116:13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
Jer 25:28 And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ye shall certainly drink.
Matthew 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave [it] to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Mark 9:41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
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