Plastic Cups

Plastic cups. I love them. Sometimes I like the big ones with handles and sometimes I like the small narrow ones. Either way they just get the job done. They aren't fancy, but simple. Anyway, in my deep analogy of life I decided I desire to be a plastic cup. Crazy, I know. Don't get me wrong, I love to drink out of fancy cups every now and then. I enjoy getting dressed up and going out for a nice meal. There are times we even use fancy cups in our house. It is the little things in life that add flavor. But, a plastic cup...it just says dependable, honest, and timeless.

I am pretty sure I spent a lot of my life trying to be the fancy cup. Trying to be all shiny, perfect, and grab the attention of all that passed. I desired to be noticed, chosen, and stand above the rest. My intentions were good and I was just trying to be the best I could be. Believing, that to really be successful I had to do great things. But, that gets tiring. It is hard to stay shiny all of the time. The world knows this and encourages you to spend your entire life seeking to keep your shine. But, if  you are lucky enough your shine wears off. You start to realize what really matters and embrace the simplicities of life.

Like being dependable, stable, and loyal. The most important one is not needing to be the fancy cup. Learning to be yourself and faithful in the life God has given you can be a difficult task. No one may ever notice you, seek you out, or celebrate your simplicity. Actually, that is the gift. You are free from the need to be noticed. You are free to enjoy the friendships you have, free to embrace the path you are on whether rocky or smooth,  free to live intentionally, and free to love unconditionally. Most of all you are free.

Somewhere along the way we bought into the lie of the shiny cup. I know I did and I looked at the plain plastic cup as a mistake or second best. Today, I see things differently. I enjoy my plastic cup of iced tea and sit quietly. Enjoying the life of loving others well, keeping life simple, and encouraging others on this journey. A path to freedom is a path worth taking.....