My Cup Overflows
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.”
— Psalm 23:5
I love Psalm 23. I picture myself lying down in green pastures and hearing the sound of water gently trickling over smooth rocks. I immediately feel relaxed. Peaceful. Safe. As this Psalm continues on I’ve always wondered what verse 5 looks like in real life. I picture David, being hunted in the woods, hiding in a cave somewhere. I have interpreted this to mean that no matter what is happening or who is around us, God’s provision is there, His sustenance and blessing is in the midst of whatever we are going through.
Speaking of enduring trials and going through hardship, I received the call the week after Easter. It was 8:00 am on a Saturday morning and my parents don’t usually call that early. It was my mom’s cell phone. “Honey is Micah home?” my mom asked. “Yes, why mom? Is everything ok?” I responded. “Well I have something I need to tell you, but I want to make sure Micah can be with you.” My heart started pounding. Then she proceeded with the words no daughter ever wants to hear: “I have breast cancer honey.”
The tears started and seemed to not stop for a few days. As the reality of my mom’s situation slowly sank in, I couldn’t even begin to talk about the variety of emotions I felt. I know I’m not alone. Many of you reading this blog entry have probably either had cancer yourself or you’ve watched someone you love go through the diagnosis of cancer. BUT, when it’s MY mom, its different. And you all know what I mean if you’ve been here. Cancer doesn’t really hit home until it’s in your home.
Over the next several weeks we waited. Lots of waiting and lots of questions. What stage was it? Where exactly was the cancer? Ends up Stage 3, tumor in her breast and traveled to her lymph nodes. Then we waited to hear what the experts were saying her best options for treatment would be. Decisions. Decisions. I listened to my dad cry, my sisters cry, myself cry. But one person didn’t seem to be shaken. My mom. She wasn’t just being strong. She was being real. And the real her was so certain of God’s faithfulness, that she didn’t pity herself or question Him. She didn’t complain. She consoled the rest of us. I was amazed. Then the chemotherapy started. By the time my family traveled to New Hampshire for vacation she had already been through 6 weeks of chemo. She greeted us at the door. Completely bald, eyes glowing, biggest smile I’ve ever seen on her face.
I lay in bed that night and the past several months went scrolling through my mind. Life changes so very quickly. Psalm 23:5 came to my mind and the Holy Spirit spoke to me. My mom was facing her enemy (cancer) and her cup was overflowing. She was experiencing God’s provision and blessing in the midst of one of the biggest trials her life had seen and yet joy, peace, freedom, and hope were her reality.
Whatever our “enemy” looks like — disease, pain, disappointment, loss, etc — we can rest in the promise that His anointing will be on our heads, His provision laid out before us, and our hearts will overflow with grace. As I type these last lines, I am utterly amazed at the mighty God we serve and have the privilege of calling our Father. Praise His mighty and matchless name.