by Cindy Walker Burton

The phrase “my cup runneth over” means experiencing an abundance of blessings through God’s divine grace and provision. Psalm 23:5 (NIV) reads “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows.” In a secular sense, it means being overwhelmed with positive things (like friends, achievements, opportunities). Both interpretations point to a state of overflowing goodness, gratitude, and contentment.

When was the last time your personal cup was filled to the point of overflowing? No fair listing your Starbucks peppermint mocha cup or your Dunkin’ Donuts toasted white chocolate cup! My definition of personal cup is your soul, your essence, your spirit. What shook and stirred you to the point that you were engulfed with joy? Enveloped in gratefulness? Encased in thankfulness?

God is the Benevolent Barista, perpetually percolating supernatural signs, miracles, and wonders. His bountiful blessings brew, and His grace and goodness gush. His provisions are poured out so that all may “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 35:8). I refer to His ever-brewing, overflowing blessings as God Perks.

As 2025 draws to a close, I have been reflecting on the many instances this year in which my personal cup was divinely filled and spilled. God Perks are eternally fresh brewed and perennially percolated. I invite you to sample three cups from my overflowing God Perks.

Cup 1. During a recent Rock Port to Orlando FaceTime session, I asked my 3 year old grandson River, “Who is your family?” He immediately replied, “Daddy, Mama, River, Reece, and Grams.” I am Grams, and this grandmother’s cup overflowed! After we hung up, my eyes overflowed with tears. River’s definition of family reduced Grams to a puddle of happy tears. God Perk: Appreciation.

Cup 2. I was at the receiving end of an insult that not only stunned me, but cut exceedingly deep. I retreated into a protective shell for weeks to process the harm it exerted on my wounded spirit. Jesus said to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39) when responding to harm. The insult was an unexpected catalyst for incite and introspection. God Perks: Forgiveness and Inner Peace.

Cup 3. I have been a writer since the tender age of six, when I composed my first poem. Fifty-seven years later, writing remains my unrivaled passion and is as essential to me as breathing. I humbly state (with all glory to God) that this past summer, “Mature Living” (national Christian magazine) published an article I authored. The features editor contacted me afterward with an invitation to become an official “Mature Living” staff writer. My writer’s cup overflowed! God Perks: gratitude.

I hope your personal cup will always overflow with expected and unexpected, known and unknown, visible and invisible God Perks. My cup runneth over. And that’s good to the last drop.