My cup runneth over

My students are currently learning about idiomatic expressions. I gave them a list of all those idioms most of us were also taught in school but never actually got around to using. My point was not that they would have to punctuate their sentences with clichés but that they would understand in case someone else did.

And one of the expressions that I have often heard used but never quite got around to using was “my cup runneth over.” It took me a while to understand that and even when I did I never had an occasion to use it. I mean, really, I had heard it said on tv but as far as I can remember I never heard anyone I know say it.

But then the other day, as I was driving to church, I ran through a list of all that had happened that week: hearing my sister’s good news, preparing for my niece’s party, hanging out with cousins that hadn’t really all been together in ten years and taking a week off from work (that I happen to love even if I enjoy holidays, too). And that was when, an overwhelming sense of gratitude washed over me. There was nothing that I had done to deserve such wonderful graces and blessings and nothing that was asked in return except my happiness. But there it was, too wonderful to fully grasp; too awesome to share in words. And that was when I finally told myself in an awed whisper, “my cup runneth over.”

In a world that demands that we always get what we give and demand what we deserve, it is sometimes difficult to accept gifts that we know we do not deserve because we do not want to be beholden to anyone. But I have learned that part of being generous is allowing others to be generous too. Being generous sometimes means accepting the gifts that others freely offer especially when I know I cannot repay them. Most of the time, I think that I do not get the graces and blessings I pray for because I do not open my heart to receive them. Perhaps somewhere in the back of my mind I think that God will ask me for something in return. But God does not think like me (thank God!). He gives freely and truly, without strings attached. And more importantly, he accepts whatever I decide to give Him.

And this great and generous God has decided that at this moment my cup is to overflow with life and love and laughter. And I have decided to immerse myself in His generosity and let it wash over me. And I give Him, too, the happiness in my soul that spills over and mingles with the gratitude in my heart. And like the psalmist I can say: My cup runneth over. Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come.