May I Borrow A Cup Of Sugar?
Posted by Martha Wilson, September 13
“That I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.” Romans 1: 12 NASB
When I grew up, neighbors were neighborly. We watched after each other’s home while the other vacationed. We fed the neighbor kids and even the dogs that wandered under the carport. We hung out in the yard and visited across the boundary lines. My mom often baked special treats to be shared with the neighbors. On many occasions, I remember Mom being short a cup of sugar and calling Ms. Hazel. “May I borrow a cup of sugar?” As soon as she made her trip to the grocery store, she was sure to return the cup of sugar with a little something extra.
My mom’s tin measuring cup found its home nestled in the bag of sugar, but today, it sits on my kitchen counter, reminding me of many things. My mom was a cup of sugar to many. She was the sweetest woman I have ever known. She never felt like she had any unique gifts to serve Jesus, but she spread His sweetness everywhere, not only through her gifts of food but also her words of encouragement given through a phone call or a handwritten note.
The cup also reminds me of our need to stay needy. I love that it is a tin cup, reminding me of a beggar’s cup. The clanking of coins rattling announced the need for more. This 21st century is a “me” culture that doesn’t like to need anyone, not even God. We proudly proclaim, “I’ve got this.” Instead, the Lord longs for us to come needy, hungry, and thirsty that He might fill us up with all of Himself.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5: 3
Happy are the poor, the needy, the beggars, the spiritually bankrupt. You read it correctly.
Something is humbling and beautiful about being in need and holding your cup up for another to fill it. We prefer to be strong, all-knowing, and never needing anything, but that is called self-confidence instead of God-confidence. We are made to be a part of the body of Christ, and it is there that we learn from one another as we are “mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”
In the middle of teaching last week, as I read the verse, I could see Mama’s sugar cup and hear her asking, “Can I borrow a cup of sugar?”
“That you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
Romans 1:12 NIV
Have you ever felt that you needed to borrow a cup of faith? Or a cup of hope? It’s ok to ask. After you run to the storehouse and your pantry is refilled, you can return the cup with a little something extra. What a beautiful picture of how God intends us to live in relationship with one another.
Today, my cup may be empty, and I need to borrow some faith from you, and tomorrow, I may be full, and you need to borrow from me. The verse says that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
Now, I’m not saying I can give you faith. Faith is a gift of God. You build and grow in your individual faith, but someone else can come alongside you when you are low, and your faith is wavering, and their faith can cause yours to arise.
You may feel hopeless in your present situation, or your faith may be wavering and doubting to believe God will really show up for you.
I would like to share a cup of hope with you today.
May I remind you that God is faithful, and it is impossible for Him to be unfaithful?
(2 Timothy 2:13)
May I encourage you that He will never leave or forsake you, no matter what you may feel right now? (Deuteronomy 31:8)
May I offer you hope that He hears your cry and answers? (Psalms 40:1)
May I share that He is a God of promise and cannot break His promises? (Lamentations 2:17)
Another’s story of faith can reach into your dark pit and scoop up a cup of hope and faith. You can listen to many stories of hope on our “A Burst of Hope” Podcast. Please take time to receive. (Tamara, please add link here)
Remember, tomorrow I may need to borrow a cup from you!
Martha Wilson is a writer, speaker, blogger and co-host of “A Burst of Hope” weekly podcast. She is the founder and director of Touching Hearts Ministries for women. She has led women to pursue an intimate relationship with Jesus for most of her adult life. She is bold, tender, and transparent as she teaches women to embrace powerful Biblical truths. Martha and her husband, Ed, live in Fayetteville, Georgia, and enjoy their blended family of five children, eight grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. You can connect with Martha at: Facebook and Instagram @TouchingHeartsMinistries or listen to the A Burst of Hope Podcast.