I heard the ding before I expected it. My oatmeal in the microwave, cooking as I threw on my clothes for work. I knew the bowl I had used was smaller than normal. I knew I ran the risk of the contents spilling over as the microwave’s heat did its work on my breakfast. And when I heard the ding, my immediate thought was “I hope it didn’t overflow.”

Because in my world, overflow means mess. Overflow means using previously scheduled minutes cleaning up, resulting in even less available time. Overflow means unexpected work. Overflow is not fun.

You prepare a table before my in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

God apparently has a different view. In God’s schedule, overflow is a blessing. An overflowing cup does not equal a mess that needs to be addressed. It is a sign of His provision and mercy.

He calls us to leave behind our previous notions of neatness and order according to our plans and to trust Him. Focus our eyes on the Creator of the Universe. He who spoke night and day into existence understands our limited time. But He who created waterfalls and supernovas and quarks and human beings surely understands the meaning behind the mess.

Pull back for a moment. Where we see disorder and inconvenience, His hand is working to bring about an experience of Himself. I see a cup running over, spilling its contents all over the floor. My Martha mind complains and my Martha hand reach for the broom. But He calls my Mary heart to sit still, to pay attention. To see the overflow as His kindness.

Not only has He provided enough, He has provided more than enough. He has given more than abundantly so that His goodness spills over the edges. This mercy is greater that I can even hold onto.

I must retrain my heart and my mind to see the beauty underneath the mess. I must change my eyes to see not inconvenience but Christ.