Cup Depot

The Cup Depot

Theology in the Trenches

by Kathleen Kjolhaug

You can tell a lot about a person if you just take note. Often times you need look no further than the drinking holes which they frequent, or taking a look at their mugs.

Plastic freebies stored cupboard-side are indicative of the five and under club. As little hands hold, they don’t break, and so parents buy. Spilling forth at ground level comes quite natural and so protection is needed. Protection of breaking hearts when little hands rattle that which they hold.

Reaching higher are the mugs just above eye level. They are reminiscent of places not only visited but perhaps lived in or traveled through. The memorabilia serves up the fair trade coffee purchased. Saving the planet as well as providing an income for those who work those fields helps to import neighbor to neighbor globally.

These collections help mark time recalling that which was and remains important. They store memory as the labels upon the mugs reflect what each stands for.

I open the door of the cup depot and I spy…the golden etched drum set upon black background beating out g-r-a-d-u-a-t-i-o-n congratulations from a memorable band instructor.

The ceramic earthen green reflects down-to-earth as the job offer brought our oldest closer to home and closer to his calling.

BIG FISH TALE serving as handle is indicative of a generational hand-me-down from cabin to cabin all o-FISH-al like!

Another sits in wait for the next needing en-COURAGE-ment as the capitals spell out that which was meant to help the troubled times blowing through the soul of one.

Posted is the word “Sister” upon another and the one lingering beside it says, “Be Still.” The Minnesota moose finds its home among the herd while a few others honor the hard work put in at educational institutions.

Another was a true miracle gifted as the dancer on the front sports the exact replica of that worn by one of our own in a photograph some sixteen years earlier. Not one could have known…or sewn…or painted the likes of.  Nope…this is and was and remains His masterpiece.

The clump of collectibles tells all. Selectively sipping sustenance from the ceramic mugs radiates warmth from each one held.

“Choose this day Whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:16). The territory upon which we trod is sacred ground. May the grounds we serve be just as sacred…bringing life to the One we serve.  Amen.