So, I recently noticed that a load of clothes from my sister’s dryer had this small, dried up sponge in it.  I inquired of her what this was doing in her dryer.  Well, turns out she found a formula for making her on fabric softener.  You mix a solution together, sit the sponges in the solution and allow them to soak in the liquid.  When you’re ready to dry a load of clothes, you put a liquid-filled sponge in the dryer with the clothes.  She instructed me to take the small, dried up sponge from the clothes and sit it back in the solution to soak up more liquid in preparation to be used, again.  I noticed that after a while of sitting in the solution, the sponge started to soften, expand and get bigger.  The sponge was then ready to fulfill it’s purpose, once again, by being put into the dryer to soften and freshen a load of clothes.

This made me think of how we sometimes get overwhelmed and doubt our ability to do what God has called us to do. Sometimes we feel dried up like the sponge. In those moments, we should soak in God’s Word, His presence, and His guidance. It may seem like you don’t have room to stretch or don’t have the abilities, resources, time or strength. But filling yourself with God’s Word, recognizing the presence of His Spirit and operating in His love can expand your abilities, your reach, your impact, and your blessings.

In addition to soaking in God’s Word and His promises, we must sit in the rest that He gives. Don’t forget to rest and refuel on God’s Word and let Him strengthen you so that you can serve Him and fulfill His purpose for your life. When we pour out God’s love, utilize God’s knowledge and serve with God’s strength, we have to be sure and sit still, listen to Him and rest. We should do these things so that we can pour out what God has given us to fulfill our purpose and walk in His calling for our lives. Remember, a pitcher can’t pour anything out, if it first hasn’t been poured into.

I researched sponges and I found that the sponge animals have many pores and channels that allow water to circulate through them. Water can enter them, move through them and leave them. The sponges that we use for cleaning work in the same way. They can fill up with liquid and release the liquid to do their job. Let’s make sure we are filling up on what can grow us and make us more fruitful, more impactful, more peaceful and more blessed. Let’s absorb the Word of God and let it circulate through us and work through us so that we can do more than we could ever do on our own; all for His glory and the good of others and ourselves! Be encouraged!

“And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.”

1 Chronicles 4:10 KJV

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

Ephesians 6:10 KJV

“Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:”

Isaiah 26:4 KJV

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 KJV