Sereni-TEA : one cuppa at a time

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. (Proverbs 3:24, NIV)

A recent email from DOC in LA, a self-proclaimed "king of naps" reminded me of the value of a good old fashion nap.  I even blogged 5 years ago about being the "queen" of said naps.
Plus, this time last year I had given myself a re-gift in the form of a nap.
Everyone has their own nap strategies. In college, LA Doc could put his head down on the desk for a 7 minute nap. Even as a working adult, he would prop his feet on his desk after lunch for a little snooze. Hubby stretches out in his big brown leather recliner and and lets the Jeopardy™ theme song lull him to sleep. I learned the value of a short nap from Millie D of Tennessee who crawled into bed for hers.

Research shows that a little nap will do you ---and is good for you. It seems good for me because I seem to sleep peacefully. When I awaken and it's still daylight, all those dragons of the dark have no power. With a nap there's no tension about trying to fall asleep. It's as easy as falling off a log. But....at night, I want to sleep like one, not fall off of it.

A quick sleep in the daytime never seems to come with the night-time baggage. Often in the dark of night, sweet sleep is interrupted with worries. Thoughts that race as I try desperately to return to sleep---so fearful of being tired the next day. Most concerns can not even be remedied in the night. Did I pay that Visa bill? Did I return DT's call? Why would Dr. Smith want me to schedule a visit? Wonder if grands will remember to.....?

I love what Hemingway said about sleep.
"I love sleep because life has a tendency to fall apart when I'm awake." For me that would read...when I'm "awake in the night."

In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety, is how the psalmist states it in 4:8. Safe-TEA from those dreaded thoughts in the dark.
That's it in a nutshell---the pursuit of peace even as one sleeps. There's just something so peaceful and serene about a nap! As DOC says, "Long live the nap!"

I'll drink to that----with a cuppa warm herbal sereni-TEA to carry me peacefully into  sleep, regardless of the time of day.

"Stabili-TEA" : a rebrew

And He will be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the LORD is his treasure. (Isaiah 33:6, NASB)

Stability is synonymous with security and safety. To me, it's rock-solid. For the past couple of weeks, prayers for an "impending deal" have been a test.*

A test of waiting. "Waiting with absolute certainty that God is sovereign. Waiting with scripture verses in mind rather than fretting and being unduly upset." (dotsydetails 2/24/14)

A test of stability---mine, not His.

 A test of trust. 

Yet, even when my trust seemed to be wavering, my prayers were stable--never ceasing. I sensed the Lord was present, I just didn't know the outcome. I wanted the kind of resolution for my family that Hezekiah had experienced as he trusted in the Lord God of Israel.....for "the LORD was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook." (2 Kings 18:7) Regardless of the outcome, I desired my family to stand firm in the words of Psalm 20:7, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." 

That "solid rock" is what one's faith is built on. 

So many teas brewed in a cuppa stabili-TEA---solidi-TEA of faith being one. 

A cuppa choice.

*A big thanks to blog reader, Nancy E., for the stabili-TEA email encouragement followed by phone prayers that "sealed the deal!"

commonali-TEA

The Lord is your keeper; .....The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. (Psalm 121:5, 7-8, ESV)

A commonali-TEA often shared by parents and grandparents is desiring God's best for their offspring, which they hope includes their longevity as well. But, too often, fears of the "what if" can creep in and rob them of their peace. 

Last week's large powerful waves at the beach and the accompanying rip tide had me on a constant "fearful alert." Knowing I had prayed for safety did not provide the unwavering confidence that "all would be fine." 

My heart's desire was that the Lord, who is my Keeper and my Protector, would keep us all safe. I certainly prayed for safety and had other prayer warriors praying as well. But God...keeps us. Safety, as being vigilant, was in my hands, both prayerfully and physically. But security was in God's hands. 

Regardless of circumstances, (even those that appear life-threatening)...He is our keeper for eternity. The crux of keeping is in soul keeping. 

"If our soul is kept, all is kept." (C. H.Spurgeon)

A cuppa fearful commonali-TEA needs to be exchanged for a cuppa securi-TEA, which only the Lord can provide.

"Safe-TEA"

for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard. (Isaiah 52:12, NIV)

How grateful I am today for the Most High God who is my Almighty Lord, my refuge, and my fortress, in whom I trust. (Psalm 91:1-2) How grateful I am, also, to those who earn our honor and gratitude by serving in our military. May we fly our flags today in honor of our US troops (both active and veterans) who throughout the years have willingly gone forth to "protect" our country from war and terrorists.
Even the dedication and sacrifice of their families is to be honored. Last weeks' visit from hubby's friend and "Wounded Warrior" gave us both an "up close and personal" view of such a sacrifice. Joseph---wounded multiple times while serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Such events impact the entire family--wife and daughters included. What a blessing to see them coping as a team with a clear focus on the Lord as they asked His direction for their future.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23: 4) Joseph practiced that verse on the field while Christen lived it at home with their girls. A warrior and a wife---both heroes!

A celebration of our freedom should always be a day to honor our heroes, who are responsible for that liberty. We can freely sip our cuppa safe-TEA because of their willingness to give up the ease of their lives for the betterment of ours. A big salute to them all!

Sippin' Choices

7/27/13 In the "teas" of life, it's all about choices. Everyone knows the old adage, "Happiness is a choice".......so is sereni-TEA..... and I need big gulps of it as we prepare for our trip.

Remember, I'm the "excessive planner" type. I want everything perfect for the family (18 of us) on our upcoming camping trip to the mountains. Though I know, as I tell everyone else, camping is all about "making do." It's in the "making do" that we make those memories.

Ready. Set. Pack.......But do we need 241 lures??

So I choose to leave the other teas behind---at least I'm trying to do that. Trying hard not to brew up anxie-TEA and for sure I want to leave the guil-TEA at home---if things don't go as planned. 

I have done all I can do and the rest is up to God.

Sippin' sereni-TEA as we tuck them in and praying for lots of safe-TEA all along the way!