SheologieSheologie
August 2020  by

What Fills Your Cup?

From the title of this post, you might think that we are talking about your favorite brew from SOPO or that fresh cup of hot tea? No, I am talking more about your heart cup. So let’s take a different road and ask yourself … what fills your cup with joy and contentment? Sometimes it’s that gleeful feeling or maybe that deep warm contentment, but joy comes in many forms.

Taking time to reflect on what brings you joy and contentment is critical to the Christian walk and certainly in today’s times. It helps you stay focused on what really matters in the middle of chaos and helps you remain joyful and content during trials. It’s good to take an inventory of what cultivates joy and contentment in our lives.

Let me share with you some things that bring me joy.

My Faith … ultimately centering

In the morning, I rise early to set the stage for the day, to be inspired – to encourage – to readjust. Daily time in the Word and quiet conversation with the Lord helps me to be equipped for the day and bask in His love.

My Family …

Family brings me joy. Believers as family or your own family … we are joined. My children, now grown and with families, my sisters who have become my closest friends and now my grandchildren all bring me joy. All in different seasons of our lives, we bring different perspectives of joy and contentment. Whether virtual or in person, that bond between believers and family is sustaining.

My Afternoon Teas … let me serve you

One of my favorite things to do is to serve afternoon tea. Whether one to one, small group or a large function, I love to create the experience for my guests. In the planning, the preparation and the serving, it delights me to see people refreshed. It can be simple or lavish, just knowing that you feel pampered or special fills my cup. Service brings joy (1 Peter 4:10).

My Home … my sanctuary

I have moved several times in my life and in each house, I find a point of sanctuary, where I can sit and reflect. It is a place that I can have that quiet moment to think, pray, or just pause. With a cup of tea and my feet up … I take a deep breath and I find joy and contentment, a point of respite for not only myself but for others as well.

Here are your Stepping Stones …

We are all sojourners on a journey. Some with miles and years to look back. Others just stepping onto the road. But whatever the situation you find yourself in, it is important to understand what gives you joy and what fills your cup. Let’s break this into some pragmatic steps that you might be able to apply to your life.

  1. Every day, begin to set the stage with a heart of gratitude. When you wake in the morning, swing those legs over the bed, greet the Lord with, “Good morning Lord – thank YOU for this day.” (Psalm 59:16)
  2. A morning time of reflection. Spend time in the Word and with the Lord. Find that place of sanctuary, pray, connect … and listen. (Psalm 43:8)
  3. List out your blessings. Deliberately list out the things in your life that are blessings. At the end of the day while you lay in bed, go through the many blessings God has brought into your life. (John 1:16, Colossians 3:17)
  4. Learn from your challenges. Examine those challenges that we all have, learn from them and then ask the Lord to help you move on from them. (James 1:2-4)
  5. Surround yourself with positivity. Seems simple and almost offensive at times when all you hear and see are the difficult times in the world, but aligning yourself with believers lifts you up and allows you to come alongside and support each other as well. Identify those points of negativity and reframe them. (Philippians 4:8)
  6. Plan Your Day. Have a plan for your day … to whatever level of detail that you need. Idle time is not good for our souls. (Proverbs 31:27, Ecclesiastes 10:18)
  7. Remember, there is more than just me in this world. The world is big and there is pain and suffering. But we serve an awesome God, the Creator of the Universe, who is bigger than anything we are faced with. We need to keep our place in perspective … strive for God-honoring humility. Take care of yourself, acknowledge those hard times but realize that God is in control. You are special and precious in God’s sight – amazing! (James 4:10)

So today take some time to reflect and ask yourself … what fills my cup?

What Are Your Thoughts?

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Madison Newcomb

Sheologie Program Manager

Madison was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She was a hopeless sinner saved by His sweet grace. Her passion is to see other women's lives transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sheologie changed her life, and now her prayer is that every woman, no matter their age, finds purpose, belonging, friendship, and their own God-given identity here. Her heart is to minister and love on every woman she crosses paths with. Madison loves walking through gardens and spending time with her soon-to-be husband, Landan. She enjoys trying new coffee shops, and brunching with her friends and family. Madison's office door is always open for a quick "hello", a SoPo coffee run, for prayer, and anything in between.

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Kayla Maria

Ministry/Digital Communications Coordinator

Kayla Maria was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM. She is creative, and delights in photography and social media because she gets to honor the Lord through her skills. Kayla has a heart for youth and women, especially those who feel purposeless, because she was once that girl who had no purpose. She believes in loving all the lost. She spends her free time rock climbing, traveling, and just hanging out with friends.

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Chloe Valdez

Bible Study Coordinator

Chloe was born in Albuquerque, NM. She has a heart for seeing women's lives transformed by God's Word and coming alongside ladies by locking arms and discipling them. God has forever changed her life, and she loves seeing women's lives transformed as well. In her free time, Chloe enjoys playing board games, building Legos, hiking, and spending time with her husband.

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Elisha Anderson

Special Events Coordinator

Elisha was born in the Philippines, but has spent most of her life in Albuquerque, NM. She has a love for bringing women together through the love of Jesus, and wants to use her God-given gifts to honor the Lord. She often calls herself the "reformed prodigal daughter", and wants to show other women who may have strayed from faith that they can be redeemed and start anew. In her free time, Elisha enjoys going on adventures with her husband Garrett, son DaVinci, and their mini zoo of animals. She has a passion for hosting get-togethers, traveling, and reading.

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