Mis-TEA Med-TEA-tation

This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me. 
(Psalm 119:50, NASB)

Misty eyes from conviction of unworthiness. An affliction of sorts. An overwhelming need to "feel" God's love. Yet, knowing that I need to trust that He loves me, whether I "feel" it or not. 
...feelings are like the mists that cover the mountains in misty weather. The mists pass; the mountains abide.(Edges of His Ways, p. 83) I need to remind myself that my Father God abides with me. He loves me whether I feel it or not. God goes with me wherever I go, whether I feel it or not. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

The King James Version of the Bible says, "Thy Word hath quickened me." Quicken, as a transitive verb, makes alive. To revive; to cheer; to reinvigorate; to refresh by new supplies of comfort or grace.  (King James Version Dictionary) His truth revives me and becomes my feeling of comfort.
I need to sip that cuppa truth daily. Believe it. Then, pour it out to Him as I sing of His love forever.

A Priori-TEA? Absolu-TEA-ly!

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up. (Psalm 5:3, KJV)

Do I believe that priori-TEA times are important for one's relationship with the LORD?

YES,.....BUT.....today my early morning "quiet" schedule was just a "stab" at a true "Tea With Thee" time. Lots of "valid"---at least, valid to me, reasons. 

But God...in His grace granted a reprieve of sorts when a great time slot (between 1:30 and 2:30) opened up for a longer time of prayer and meditation. AND....isn't that what a quiet time is all about?

How special that my tea pot time was "spot on" for my afternoon cuppa raspberry decaf.

Time with the Lord. A priority? Absolutely! But.....keeping the intent of my commitment is more important than my "normal" checklist" & that mentality helped assuage my guilt.

Plus, the Lord filled me with Psalm 5 tea words:

• ..for med-Tea-tation (v. 1) from this "all those in communi-TEA" lament of David's. (v. 11 & 12)
• Priori-TEA of early prayer times in David's life. (v. 3)
• God hates iniqui-TEA. (v. 5)
• Recognition of the mul-TEA-tude of God's mercies. (v. 7)
• David's humili-TEA  in worship as he must have been prostrate before the holy temple. (v.7) Dr. Constables's comments on this verse gave me the idea of an at-TEA-tude of vulnerabili-TEA in worship. (Sonic Light, p. 25)
• Consequences of guil-TEA behavior of the wicked. (v. 9-10)
• Visibili-TEA of trust and joy in the lives of the righteous (v. 11-12) who walk in the straight way. (v. 8) 

"Tea with Thee." Priority accomplished? Absolutely! 

"locali-TEA"

Honor and majesty are [found] in His presence; strength and joy are [found] in His sanctuary. (1 Chronicles 16:27, Amplified)

Entering the psalms this year in a "fresh" way has added vitali-TEA to my times of prayer and scripture meditation.  Med-TEA-tation might be a bit of a stretch for a "tea" word, but it's what my "Tea with Thee" time has become. It's all about thinking through & pondering old favorite psalms in a new way with both a cuppa and my Bible close at hand. More of a heart connection. Tho, the prayer chair is still the location I'm drawn to for quiet times.  My locali-TEA of choice. My sanctuary, of sorts. I realize the true location is "in His Presence" (Psalm 16:11) and reading & praying thru the Psalms seems to propel me there more quickly. Scriptural focus helps me to be fully present.

The psalms have proven to be my sanctuary of prayer---a place where my heart is nourished. Where I can bring the realities of my life in to His throne room and cry out for help as the psalmist did. Fears. Doubts. Grief. Physical struggles.....knowing that He hears. (Psalm 34:17 & Psalm 116:1)

It's still a quiet time and yet in ways it's become a BIG adventure because God is there waiting to meet me right where I am---and I'm not always in a "pretty" place. But God....stirs my soul.

His word begins teaching me, once again, not to repress the emotions that are plaguing me. His word offers hope as well as comfort. Just read the psalms to see how often those words are used.
I just finished meeting God at my prayer chair with an open heart & a cuppa Harney and Sons Organic English Breakfast----a rich black tea brewed in a cup that evokes great memories of a favorite British locali-TEA---The Shop on the Corner in Royston, England.

Time with Him seems to carve out space in my soul, not only for more of Him but for prayer for others in my life as well.

His Presence---a locali-TEA we can always take with us.