Full or Flat?





Ever see those inflatable lawn decorations?

All puffed up and full of life?






















Ever notice them when the power is off?

Looks like a CSI crime scene after a 
mass-inflatable-murderer rampage!



.


Anybody feel like that today?
I call Dec. 26 "society's collective exhale."
We've been running, wrapping, rushing, reveling, and now relaxing.
But we may feel more exhausted than relaxed.
What we need is some recharging!

Last year as part of the 40 Day Focus, my friend Laurie Hock, shared a post called, "Where You Gonna Get Your Fill?" In it, she explored Psalm 81:10. “I am the Lord your God...Open wide your mouth and I will fill it” (NIV).

Laurie said:

“It’s that simple. God asks us to ask Him. He responds with the promise He will fill what we set before Him. He is our satisfier. God exists to be our Father, our Provider, our Wisdom, our Grace and Guide. He holds all the answers, all the peace, and all of time. What better place to fill up?

“Can you think of anything else that can offer you such satisfaction? Will you let God be your fill today? He will fill you up when you make time for Him. God fills us up when we start our day with prayer and praise. God fills us up when we show His love to His people.

“God fills us up as we read, meditate on, and proclaim His Word and truth each day. God fills us up as we listen to songs offering Him worship and adoration. God will fill each of us the way He knows we uniquely need. To activate His loving power, we must tell Him that He’s where we want to get our fill. We must offer Him our heart, our time, our lives.”


As the worship leader in our church, when my husband plugs the power cord into his guitar, he imagines himself plugging into the Spirit like a branch of the Vine. It's the connection that provides the power.


So if you’re feeling deflated, open wide your heart and say “Lord, fill ‘er up!”

Our 40 Day Focus leading up to Christmas Day is now complete. I pray that you experienced His presence daily, and will continue to do so. I’ll be taking a few days off, but will be back soon!

Blessings to you and yours,
Susan






ps - I just have to add:
Dec. 26th, the most anti-climactic day of the year, happens to be my birthday! 
But my wonderful family has always made it special for me, so personally - I'm not feeling deflated at all!  

8 comments:

lynnmosher said...

Oh, Susan, I love this! Great thought! I hope the Lord filled you up this Christmas! And I hope it doesn't leak out...or maybe, just very slowly! LOL Blessings to you, dear one! xoxox

Audrey said...

Hi Susan... Happy Birthday!!! Thank you for the emails the past couple weeks.... your faithfulness has encouraged us!!!!! Merry Christmas to all your family.... God bless.... hugs Audrey

JoEllen said...

Dear Susan,

Happy Happy Birthday!!!!To You!!

JoEllen

Celebrating Life
Celebrating YOU!!!

Birthdays need to be celebrated. I think it is more important to celebrate a birthday than a successful exam, a promotion, or a victory. Because to celebrate a birthday means to say to someone: “Thank you for being YOU.” Celebrating a birthday is exalting life and being glad for it. On a birthday we do not say: “Thanks for what you did, or said, or accomplished.” No, we say: “Thank you for being born and being among us.”
On birthdays we celebrate the present. We do not complain about what happened or speculate about what will happen, but we lift someone up and let everyone say: “We love you.”
Henri J.M. Nouwen


Today you are celebrated, Susan,
because YOU are LOVED!

Cookie said...

Praise the Lord My Precious Sister Susan

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! My Sister Susan, thank you for taking us through this Glorious 40 Day Journey. This Devo. reminded me of the Song. Fill my cup Lord. I lift it up Lord. Come, and quench this thirsting in my soul. Bread from heaven fill me till I want no more. Fill my cup, fill it up, and make me whole. Thank YOU Abba Jesus & Holy Spirit that YOU have filled our cup, and have made us whole. Hallelujah Amen!!!

P.S. I love opening my mouth so that HE could fill it, and HE has. Love you my dear Sister. Blessed Rest My Sister.

Walk In Truth said...

Hi Susan,

"Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, happy birthday Dear Susan, happy birthday to you."
(try to pretend there was singing and music to that :o)

I like your post with the deflated lawn decor, and reference to the CSI crime scene, that made me laugh

God bless you

Marja Verschoor-Meijers said...

Well, don't pull the plug Susan!! I hope you had a great birthday!

quietspirit said...

Happy belated birthday to you. I trust it was all you wanted it to be. Enjoyed your 40 day focus.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Susan -

Happy Birthday!

The inflatables always make me chuckle. Good analogy.

Blessings,
Susan :)