I picked up a pen, expecting it to flow effortlessly across the page, leaving well-formed script in its wake. What I got instead was a dried-up ballpoint that refused to budge, no matter how many times I tried scribbling to get it to work.

No ink, no marks, no words, no work done. What a waste!

I tossed the pen in the garbage can and retrieved another one.

Success!

Sometimes I feel like a stubborn pen that works part of the time, leaving half-formed letters that have to be retraced to make them readable. Sometimes I need a little shaking, a little motion to get the ink flowing.

Thank God that He doesn’t throw me out!

God doesn’t treat us like a disposable Bic. When we feel dried up and useless, God can refill us and make us once again fit for His purposes.

God restores us.

Our spiritual filling functions more like that of an expensive Cross pen. Meant to last a lifetime, a Cross might be gifted to you during a special occasion. I received one upon graduating from high school, my name engraved on its sleek, silver exterior, but the best part is the refillable function of the pen.

When the ink runs out, all I have to do is pop in a refill.

When I hit a spiritual or emotional dry spell, what fills me up better than anything else is to be reminded of God’s promises:

See what love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

I John 3:1

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with an unfailing kindness.”

Jeremiah 31:3

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Deuteronomy 31:6

His love redeemed me and His presence is with me. Those two promises alone are enough to renew my get up and go.

His gift of salvation is offered freely, for He already paid the price. His righteousness is engraved upon my soul.

Nope, I’m not a cheap Bic.

I’m a Cross kind of girl.

In more ways than one.