To fill is to remove the empty from our lives. Sometimes that’s in response to a physical need and sometimes it is totally spiritual.
When I think of the word fill, I think back to life on our farm when the kids were growing up.
Rachel, fill the chicken feeder.
Aaron, be sure and fill the rabbit water bottles.
Honey, can you please fill up the pellet stove, it’s going to be cold tonight.
For me, I pretty much spent my entire day filling. Filling up the hungry bellies of my family. Filling the washer. Filling the pantry with canned food and staples. Filling the day with things that could not be allowed to be empty. Being empty meant that someone or something will go hungry, or cold, or…heaven forbid…have to wear dirty clothes.
But in thinking about the farm and the lifestyle we had chosen for our family during that special time of our life. It was never easy, but always fulfilling, I also think about the emotional side of filling up.
We wanted (and still do) to fill our kids and our family with:
• A deep love and connection with God and His wonderful creation.
• A desire to serve and follow Jesus Christ.
• A heart to help others in any way they could and serve their community with their unique talent and gifts.
• A yearning for knowledge and a love of science and literature.
• An unfailing love for each other.
God takes the empty and transforms it into something alive and new. Filling us with the Holy Spirit eliminates our emptiness. It takes away the void and replaces it with peace and love.
For me, in this past year, I have experienced such a huge “filling” up of peace, grace and love in my life. Without even realizing it, I had allowed my job of fifteen years to consume me with stress and leave me feeling empty. What I once thought of as fulfilling, had become overwhelming. It took the total support and encouragement from my family and friends as well as hours of crying out to God in prayer to have the strength to make the decision that deep in my heart I knew I had to make. But once I turned in my resignation, I was filled with an unexplainable peace.
Now back at home full-time, I am once again filling my days with God’s presence, His word, my family and my love of writing.
It reminds me of one of my favorite hymns by Richard Blanchard:
Fill My Cup, Lord
Like the woman at the well I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy;
And then I heard my Savior speaking:
“Draw from My well that never shall run dry.”
CHORUS: Fill my cup, Lord, I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven, feed me ’til I want no more-
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!
“To fill is to remove the empty from our lives”. Basic truth but so powerful when we allow God to do just that! My mind went to that song as well when I saw the word prompt for this week – it’s also a favorite of mine as well. May your days be filled with peace that only our Father can give!
Thanks Sara. I’m sure that song will be in my head all day…which really isn’t a bad thing:)
So true. I am praying for my daughter that her life is filled with a love for God and His holiness. Thanks for sharing your inspiring look at farm life. I love how you turned the simple things into really valuable lessons.
Mary, thanks for your comment. Even though we don’t live on the farm anymore, it is such a special part of who we are. My kids are now adults but they talk about that time of our life as being a major factor in who they are today.
I love this. It reminds me of all the reasons that I love you and feel close to you. You are such an amazing lady. Another mother to me. You are filled with the love and light of Christ. You have passed that on to your beautiful children. There is nothing better than that.
Thank you so much Mariah. Your loving words brought tears to my eyes. But even as amazing as I am….or so you say, I struggle with self-doubt just like everyone else. It is only with the “filling” of the Holy Spirit that anything good comes out of this shell of a person. Can’t wait to spend time with you again! Hugs to you and your sweetie!
“To fill is to remove the empty from our lives.” That was so profound! I loved this whole post! Welcome to FMF!
Jennifer, thanks for your comment. I am excited to be connecting with other women writers with FMF.