I Need a Refill

I like free refills, don't you?  You go to a restaurant, you order a soda, you drink it ALL, and now--well, now you need a free refill!  But some restaurants don't have free refills.  You drink all of your soda, ask for a refill, only to find out that you have to pay for said refill.

I find that I also need a different kind of refill.  It's a refill that I can't even predict how often I'll need.  I know I don't have the money for this kind of refill.  It's actually a refill that no one can afford.  You can't pay for it with money, but it's priceless.

This refill is one that's only given by the Holy Spirit. 

Picture this:  You, yourself, are a cup that needs filling.  You wake up in the morning empty.  But you forget from the very start of your day to get a refill.  Then something frustrating happens--one of your children spills their milk (and they need a refill), someone cuts you off in traffic, a big bill comes in the mail, the washer breaks.  You know what I mean.  There are days like this!  And when something like any one of these things happens you try to handle it on your own.  Or you don't really handle it at all.  Because you're empty.  No supernatural help coming through for you here.

I do this.  I go through my day in my own strength without that supernatural free refill.  And then I wonder why I don't handle things very well.  Duh!  I'm running on empty!

Okay, back to getting a free refill at a restaurant.  What do you have to do to get one?  That's right.  You walk up to the counter (if it's a fast food joint) or ask your server (if it's a sit-down place) for a free refill.  Yep.  That's it.  That's all you have to do.  You don't even have to do the filling part.  They do that for you.

Well, it's the same way with a free refill from the Holy Spirit.  He waits for us to ask Him for one.  And when we do, He does it!  He does the filling.  And guess what?  The free refills are unlimited, endless, bottomless . . . You get the picture! 

The only catch is that we have to go to Him.  He wants us to be dependent upon Him.  He wants to do for us what we can't do for ourselves.  And it's there (and free!) for the asking.

So, I think I'm going to put a little sign on my nightstand to help me remember to do this.  First thing in the morning, before I get out of bed, I'll see this:  DON'T FORGET TO ASK FOR FREE REFILLS TODAY! 

Let's do this thing!