Morning Devotional

April 19, 2004

"The Little Teacup"

by Don Emmitte

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In light of all this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk - better yet, run! - on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline - not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. (Ephesians 4:1-3 MSG).

Yesterday I told you about a new blend of tea that has been recommended to me. I began to muse a little further in that thought. Did you know that house dust is made up of 97 percent skin cells? Isn't that thoroughly fascinating and utterly disgusting all at the same time? I suppose we should start saving all the dust from the vacuum and build a MAID! There’s probably enough under the couch or refrigerator to do it now! Maybe we could train her to do laundry, clean windows and serve high tea (see, I told you I was thinking about tea)? Good tea is hard to beat as a thirst-quenching drink. Mary and I have always had tea in the house. It is a staple on our table for meals.

That aside, do you remember the "I'm a Little Teapot" song? I like the song. Perhaps I like it so much because it reminds me of how I am starting to look, you know, "short and stout" and all! There’s another version that I have heard that is pretty funny, it goes like this:

"I'm a little teapot, short and stout.

Here is my handle,

Here is my handle...

Hey, I'm a sugar bowl!"

It makes me think of how God crafted and shaped us to be exactly who we are. He didn't get to the finished project and say, "Oh no! I was trying for a teapot on this one!" There's big-time frustration in trying to be something or someone God has not designed us to be. It's like a teapot trying to be a sugar bowl or a vacuum cleaner or a B-52! It's just not going to work. But as the teapot surrenders to the purpose its designer had in mind, do you know what happens? The teapot is filled up with goodness and warmth. Then, as it serves, it shares that warmth and goodness with others. It's doing exactly what it was made to do. What could be more satisfying for a teapot?

The Apostle Paul urges us to pour ourselves out in good deeds in our reading this morning. They may be simple and almost insignificant, however each kindness given is like a refreshing drink to the thirsty. We are all different, with many gifts, however, in this regard we are all alike – we are like teapots with refreshment to be poured out for others. Look for you “cup” today!