Drinking From My Saucer*

I’ve never made a fortune,
And I’ll never make one now
But it really doesn’t matter
‘Cause I’m happy anyhow.

As I go along my journey
I’m reaping better than I’ve sowed
I’m drinking from the saucer
‘Cause my cup has overflowed.

I don’t have a lot of riches,
And the going’s sometimes tough
But with kin and friends to love me
I think I’m rich enough.

I thank God for the blessings
That His mercy has bestowed
I’m drinking from the saucer
‘Cause my cup has overflowed.

He gives me strength and courage
When the way grows steep and rough
I’ll not ask for other blessings
For I’m already blessed enough.

May we never be too busy
To help bear another’s load
Then we’ll all be drinking from the saucer
When our cups have overflowed.
– John Paul Moore

We always refer to a cup of blessings and I always wondered where the expression came from. I honestly never really gave it a second thought until I stumbled upon this poem by John Paul Moore. So I decided to dig a little deeper in the spirit of Thanksgiving and in anticipation of Advent.

The phrase “my cup runneth over” originates from the Bible, specifically Psalm 23:5 in the King James Version. In this psalm, attributed to King David, the verse reads: “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” The “cup” represents our individual lots in life, encompassing everything that is good and favourable that our lives have been blessed with. The overflowing cup then became a metaphor for gratitude, joy, and the boundless generosity of God.

The other phrase that has become a part of our modern language is “a cup of blessings”. Although it doesn’t appear verbatim in the Bible, the idea eludes to 1 Corinthians 10:16, when the Apostle Paul refers to “the cup of blessing which we bless,” tying it to the sacrament of communion.

Regardless of which version of the overflowing cup you choose to refer to, we speak of gratitude, joy and the blessings in our lives. We are reminded not to live in the pitfalls of the past, or hang our hopes on the incertitude of the future. Be mindful, aware and grateful for the people in your lives there and now.

If today you celebrate Thanksgiving, then I send you a cup of blessings and a saucer that is equally overflowing.