My heart is in prayer over a speaking engagement I have been invited to speak at this coming May. Tonight, I was surfing the web and doing a bit of research over a few topics and came across this adorable idea (thought). It has grabbed my hearts attention and is intriguing my thoughts:
“Are you a Teacup or a Teapot?”
Now if any of you have planned a ladies’ tea or banquet, we usually focus your attention on those adorable dainty china teacups. Let’s face it — they are pure loveliness in your hands! (and the tea is good too!) We use the images of teacups from our invites to the décor; to crafts and door prizes. The possibilities are rather unless. Then you add the delicious food, laughter with sweet fellowship, then a devotional that challenges yet encourages your heart — bliss and loveliness all wrapped in one! I truly adore teacups.
I also adore teapots, but they don’t get as much praise and attention as their counterparts do. This is why when I came across this little poem with its question, I stopped.
I would love to share it with you now:
Are you a Teacup or a Teapot?
Characteristics of Teacups:
Beautiful
Delicate, yet strong
Unique
Offers relaxation and soothes the spirit
Holds what is put into them with no outlet
Characteristics of Teapots:
Beautiful
Delicate, yet strong
Unique
Offers relaxation and soothers the spirit
Pours out what is put into it
-author unknown-
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NASB) says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”
When you compare a teacup and a teapot you will notice each have fine qualities as they sit as individuals, yet one holds onto what is put into it, while the other pours it out again.
The question is asked: “Which would you rather be a Teacup or a Teapot?”
If ‘tea’ is left inside, even in the most beautiful of loveliest teacups ever to be created, it will become old. Stagnant. Useless. So it is with us. If we hold onto blessings and choose not to pour out ourselves onto others because of the goodness of God in the land of the living (Ps 27:13), we too become old. Stagnant. Useless. Oh, we may remain beautiful on the outside, but what is on the inside becomes selfish and displeasing to our Lord.
Like the teapot, it pours out what was poured in. So it is with us. If we pour ourselves and our blessings out over others we bring glory to our Lord and blessings to others, but we also will find our souls rejuvenated and revived. Funny how the Lord turns your ‘pouring’ full circle. How He chooses to refill you and bless your soul because you chose to pour out. When we go back to Him to refuel, He fills you once again with His Spirit, Word, His Love, and exactly what He knows you need — and even maybe what you need to give to someone else that you aren’t even aware of. What an encouragement!
Isn’t God great!
The Lord is the one who fills us each day. We cannot fill ourselves! We are unable.
Be sure you are spending time in His Word daily and taking time to commune with God in prayer! Allow Him to encourage you, teach you, comfort you, challenge you, and strengthen you. As He is walking with you through your life and circumstances — share that God-love, God-wisdom and those God-blessings that He has filled you with others!
Now I love both teacups and teapots. But I have been challenged and I hope that you have been too. Don’t be a teacup — Be a TEAPOT!
Are you pouring it out or are you holding it all in?
God has giving us so much. How can we NOT share it with those around us?God has forgiven us of everything! How can we not NOT share His love, forgiveness, the Cross and Resurrection with others?
Make your own list — and keep adding to it — but make sure you SHARE it with others and be a beautiful blessing of a TEAPOT.
Sincerely,
In Christ I am SHE
{Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
AMEN
Blessings to you my friends!
In Christ I am SHE 
Greetings from Ohio! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to browse your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the information you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, fantastic blog!
LikeLike
Praise the Lord! My heart rejoices that you found In Christ I am SHE. Oh how I pray that it will be a blessing, encouragement, and challenge to live 100% for God in this life — for He is so worth it all! Blessings to you friend. Keep the faith! Matt. 6:33 Pass the word along :0)
LikeLike
It’s actually very complex in this full of activity life to listen news on Television, thus I only use internet for that reason, and take the latest news.
LikeLike
That’s a good idea. For me, I am a busy Mama and time wise TV time doesn’t happen much (ha) but when I do it is to learn or like you — get the facts. News is not like it use to be, but sounds like you’ve got it! Blessings to you friend and thanks for your note! Matt. 6:33
LikeLike
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely helpful info specifically the last section 🙂 I deal with such info much. I used to be looking for this particular information for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.
LikeLike
Praise the Lord!!! Rejoicing. My the Lord continue to guide and direct you as you seek Him first friend. He is the way! Thanks for following In Christ I am SHE. Blessings to you and may we be a blessings and encouragement to you!!! Matt. 6:33
LikeLike
Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same results.
LikeLike
Thanks so much! I was just online yesterday and noticed some older posts with exactly what you are talking about — will look into that and thank you so much! Blessings to you friend! Matt. 6:33
LikeLike
What’s up to all, it’s actually a fastidious for me to pay a visit this website, it contains priceless Information.
LikeLike
Praise the LORD! Rejoicing. Thanks so much! May the Lord bless you and may In Christ I am SHE be a blessing, encouragement and continue challenge to all our hearts to live for God 100% — for HE is sooooo worth it! Blessings to you friend! Matt. 6:33
LikeLike
Hello, of course this article is really good and I have learned lot of things from it about blogging. thanks.
LikeLike
Awe, Praise the LORD! Rejoicing. Praise God! May we continue to be a blessing, encouragement and challenge to walk in Christ all our days! Matt. 6:33
LikeLike
We stumbled over here coming from a different web page and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to going over your web page again.|
LikeLike
Praise the Lord….rejoicing you ‘found’ us!!! Welcome!!! Thanks for following! May In Christ I am SHE be a blessing, encouragement and a continue challenge to our hearts to live 100% God-focused. Blessing to you friend. Thanks so much! Matt. 6:33
LikeLike
Have you ever considered publishing an ebook or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog based on the same subjects you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would appreciate your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an email.
LikeLike
Thanks so much for asking….ummm…WOW…No, I have never done anything like that. I am new to the whole blogging world and just writing as God leads and burdens. My deep desire (other than my honey and kids) is to help other women see/become all God desires for them to be/become — for His desires for us far out weigh the thoughts and plans we have for ourselves. I will pray about this more, but I am interested. Thanks for asking! Blessings to you friend! Matt. 6:33
LikeLike
You are so interesting! I don’t suppose I have read through something like this before. So good to find another person with genuine thoughts on this issue. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that is required on the web, someone with a bit of originality!
LikeLike
Praise the LORD!!!! Rejoicing! Makes me smile inside and OUT!!! Thanks! May the Lord bless you and may In Christ I am SHE be a continued blessing, encouragement, and challenge to your soul. Blessings to you friend! Matt. 6:33
LikeLike