My mother was not quick to throw things away. Not that she was a hoarder, but she made good use of the things she had. I remember one day in particular standing in her kitchen, looking in her cupboard for a mug for my hot tea. (We often shared a cup of tea together. It’s from her that I got my love for tea.) As I saw a number of worn, chipped mugs, I looked at them disparagingly and thought to myself “Mom, why don’t you throw these old things away and get some new ones!” I didn’t say it, but I thought it.

Then came the day I am standing in my own kitchen and looking in my cupboard for my favorite mug, the one with a big chip in it! And suddenly I understood my mother. I didn’t want to throw that old mug away. I loved it. I wanted it. And I could still use it.

Sometimes I feel like an old mug. I am faded and worn. (As I get older, perhaps ‘worn out’ is a better description.) I am not perfect and have a number of flaws. I may even have a few chips and cracks. And sometimes I feel like I have been used up and no longer useful. Does anyone else feel that way?

But guess what? This old mug belongs to God! In fact, I think I am one of His favorites! He is not going to get rid of me! He loves me. He wants me. And He can still use me.

Yes, I do have an old mug. And so does God.