what are you full of?

Lewis tells us about being suddenly jarred today in A Year with C.S. Lewis.

He says (a little erroneously, I think) that who we REALLY are is seen when we are suddenly surprised. I would argue that we are both that person AND the person that we strive very hard to be. But we'll lay that aside for now.

His example of the rats in the cellar bring to mind a beautiful and convicting quote by Amy Carmichael, one of my favorite examples to learn from. She said "A cup brimful of sweetness cannot spill one bitter drop, so matter how suddenly jarred." That's a great way to put it.

Of course, I don't find myself brimful of sweetness. I find myself moody and lacking in the perfect charity that "brimful of sweetness" entails. But I desire to be full of His love and light. I strive daily to be more like Him. I ask for Him to fill me with His kindness and gentleness. And I find myself, more and more as I get older, responding in kindness even when suddenly jarred. I think that's what it means to grow in grace.

God, help me grow in Your grace, and to show Your kindness to other people, even when suddenly jarred.