Drinking from the Saucer

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

Ephesians 1:3

Have you ever observed how a cat drinks? When their bowl is full, they lap from the edge. But when it's empty, they might even drink from the saucer below. Sometimes, life resembles this. We hope for blessings in abundance—full bowls. Yet, often, God’s blessings arrive quietly and subtly, in ways that seem minor.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 1:3 that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. All the blessings we need for life and godliness are ours in Him — not just sometimes or in small measure, but completely. Still, we may feel discouraged if we think we’re not getting enough. Often, we focus on the bowl being half empty instead of recognizing that the saucer itself is a gift.

God’s blessings are not always obvious. Spiritual growth, patience, perseverance, wisdom, and joy often arrive in small, almost imperceptible ways. These “saucer moments” remind us to drink deeply from gratitude, even when life feels like it’s offering less than we hoped. Every blessing, large or small, is from the same hand that gave the fullness of salvation in Christ.

Here are five practical ways to appreciate God’s blessings:

1. Give Thanks in Prayer: Acknowledging God in prayer cultivates gratitude for His blessings. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18

2. Praise God with Your Words: Verbal praise reinforces awareness of God’s goodness. “Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!” — Psalm 107:8

3. Share Your Blessings with Others: Generosity helps you see God’s blessings multiply through acts of love. “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” — Proverbs 19:17

4. Live in Obedience: Appreciation is shown through faithful living according to God’s will. “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.” — Isaiah 1:19

5. Reflect and Remember: Take time to meditate on what God has done; remembering strengthens gratitude. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” — Psalm 103:2

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark