Time to Fill Up
Pumpkin spice lattes. Pumpkin bread. Candy corn.
Kids in costumes fill their buckets with delicious candy (and sometimes apples, boxes of raisins, or coupons, unfortunately) as they panhandle door-to-door one night of the year.
We stuff ourselves to bursting with turkey covered in gravy, mashed potatoes covered in gravy, and dressing covered in gravy. Okay, I’ll admit it; I love gravy. Belts are loosened, top buttons are discreetly relieved of their duties in order to make room for sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, rolls, and pies of all flavors.
We decorate our tables with cornucopias filled with fruits and vegetables. We fill our homes with relatives from far and near.
This is what fall means to me: a time of filling.
Working from home allows me the privilege of enjoying the season of lazy days with my hooligans, also known as my children. Bare feet. Waterparks. Vacation. Summer is carefree at our house.
Some days we rise early and head out on a new adventure. Some days we sleep in and stay in our pajamas all day.
We travel to a friend’s house for the weekend on a moment’s notice. We lounge at the pool with no plan for dinner.
Shoes are optional, along with most housework. Creative dinners spring from a forgotten trip to the grocery store. The chaos of summer is fun for a while but by the time we stumble upon Labor Day, we are a water-logged, sun-scorched mess. Kids may want to live in summer mode for all eternity, but I long for fall, a time to be filled.
Too much sun can leave a girl thirsty. As we move into fall, school schedules allow for structure and time to care for my own needs. I ache to be filled again. My mind turns to the only water that can fully satisfy: the Word of God.
“But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:14 (NLT)
Just as the Samaritan woman came to the well, asking Jesus for the living water, I come to Jesus after a summer drought asking Him to quench my thirst for more of Him.
I feast on Scripture, spending time reading the Bible and meditating on its truths. I choose a new passage of the Bible to study and memorize, a passage that guides me and molds me in this current season.
I ladle new wisdom into my mind through books written by authors who love the Lord. Times of prayer open my ears to what God would have me to hear.
Are we limited to New Year’s Day for making a fresh start? A change of scenery, a change in our schedule, a change of seasons—any change can provide motivation to be filled afresh by God. Are you aching to be filled again?
