TEA-lightfully clear

God's Word is truth. (John 17:17) God-breathed. (2 Timothy 3:16) Yet, to many, parts of scripture are unclear. Direction needed. Crystal clear direction. Clarity in God's word

Isn't that what we all want? A cup of clari-TEA as we read God's word---to know His truth?

To know what God is really saying, especially to each of us personally?

Last week at BSF, Cathy, our teaching leader, gave insight into this conundrum.

All scripture is equally true....BUT not all scripture is equally clear. 

A TEA-lightful quote for me to remind me of truth that I do understand and to trust the Lord in the parts which I don't.

"Afternoon Tea"

Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with shouts of joy. (Psalm 126:2, RSV)

"Afternoon Tea" is, by tradition, a time for reflecting on one's day while recouping a little energy and possibly chatting with a friend----or, as in this instance, a daughter.
Conversation steeping over a hot pot of tea, A ceylon black tea for me and Buckingham Palace tea for her.  Sugar for both of us---nothing artificial here.

No cream to mask the flavor, just a hint of milk. No lemon either---we save that tartness for sweet tea, the iced variety, that has NO place at a British inspired teatime. No verbal raspberries, sour grapes or tartness, even in our conversation, just lots of sharing and laughter.

Tiers of savories and sweets, from tea sandwiches and cheese straws to scones with clotted cream and jam (Even spiced almonds and a little meat shaped ball on that tier) along with tea cookies and chocolate covered strawberries.  

A genteel time. A time of being, not doing. No electronic devices needed, except to show a few pictures. No interruptions.

So similar to my quiet times of conversations with the Lord. An uninterrupted time. A time of true sweetness, nothing artificial----the milk and meat of the word at my fingertips. A time to "be" in His Presence.
A time to taste and see that the Lord is good. (Psalm 34:8)

Tea With Thee---a TEA-rrific way to spend a morning.

High Tea*---a tea-lightful way to spend an afternoon with "my" daughter. Both are refreshing!

*Memphis version of a more formal afternoon tea---a yearly Mother's Day event at  the Woman's Exchange

"tea-lightful" : a Re-Brew

Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart;
For I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16, NASB)

Many things in life bring delight to us. Time with loved ones. A vacation in the mountains or at the beach. A field of yellow daffodils on the first day of spring.

In our family, food often brings delight. Even many vacation stops are planned around unusual restaurants.
Delightful food. Yummy food---which often varies with our age. A waffle bowl of ice cream for the grands. A cuppa for me. Peanut butter and jelly for the grands. Benedictine for me.

One of the bench marks of Christian maturity, is a hunger for God's word. A thirst that only His words can satisfy. Scripture meditation delights my soul.....as does being called by His name--Christian.

What are you eating lately? (ea-TEA-ng, as Corey said)
For me, noshing on God's Word is "tea-lightful."

"tea-lightful"

May you see your children's children! (Psalm 128:6, ESV)

Not only living to see my grandchildren but spending uninterrupted time with them, especially one at a time, is a blessing. A treat beyond measure. A "grand" time to read stories, play a game and create. 

"Serving the birds" idea had us creating a pinecone wreath bird feeder. Slathering peanut butter on the cones and rolling them in seed and thistle to attract the birds was great fun. BUT....a pesky squirrel made short work of disassembling and devouring our creation......as the birds only looked on. In his defense, he does lay clam to all pinecones in our yard, so I should have known better.

Time with a grandson is as "tea-lightful" as a warm cuppa on a cold January day, even when activities take an unexpected turn.