When our children were young, we had a spoon that was affectionately called the “Special Spoon.”
The coveted spoon; which was in reality just a sugar spoon, was fought over every meal.
Why the spoon was so special back then, I really can’t say. But what makes it so special today; after all the children have moved away, is that the spoon has taken on a whole new meaning.
It has transformed from something that was fought over into something that is given away every single day.
The spoon may wind up in my morning coffee, my husband’s cereal, a dessert at the end of the day, a bowl of soup…or just about anywhere.
The spoon is passed back and forth between my husband and me as a sign of love and self-sacrifice. After all, who wouldn’t want a “special spoon?” :)
Each time one of us receives the “special spoon” from the other, the response is always the same…a smile, a glance, and an “Ahhh, I got the special spoon.”
At that moment, the spoon receiver knows that they are special and loved…and all is right in our little world!
Cheerful giving comes from a sense of love for each other.
A silly little thing to most I am sure… but it’s the little unselfish acts of love that have held us together for 43 years and counting.
The spoon, which began as a simple tool used to consume a meal, was coveted after, fought over, loved well, used often, left behind, discarded, and even forgotten. And then…it found a new purpose.
Although the spoon has not changed; it is still the same sugar spoon, its purpose HAS changed.
Likewise, as we mature our ministries and our purpose may change as well.
The excitement and enthusiasm that we once felt for our ministry may begin to fade away.
But don’t lose heart…it just may be that God has a new PURPOSE for you…a new direction…a new ministry.
How do you know when it’s time to pass the special spoon onto someone else?
Looking back, I can see that God had been dealing with my heart for a long time…but I held onto that spoon. I wouldn’t let go of it.
It was only when God made things so unbearable that I finally let go. I felt as if I was a quitter…as if I had been defeated...as if I was letting the children down. But nothing could have been further than the truth.
Satan has a way of deceiving us…of keeping us from hearing God's calling. He has a way of convincing us to hold on to that spoon…even when we know that we should let go. If we hold on, we miss out on the sweeter purpose that God has for our lives.
It was only when I let go of the spoon that I received the full reward that God had for me.
Looking back, I can see many things that I couldn’t see then.
1) I can see that God had been placing new ministry opportunities in front of me for quite a while.
2) I can see that God had been developing new talents/gifts/interests within me.
3) I can see just how discontent I was with my current position, lack of leadership, leaders, policies, church direction, and the lack of communication.
4) I can see that my heart was being drawn towards new ministries and my eyes were being opened to greater needs.
5) I can see that I was losing my joy.
But all that changed the day I let go of the spoon!
Today I am passing the “Special Spoon” to you. Filled with love, joy, and peace!
May your spoon overflow!
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor 9:7
Praying for you always!