familiari-TEA

...whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:26, NIV)

Driving to Jones Clinic this morning to deliver some cookies, my mind started spinning. A knot in my stomach began to tighten. The cookies were a simple thank you to those who had been so caring to my friend Claudia for the last  2+ years.

Yet, this was the first time I had been to the clinic since her death 6 weeks ago. Re-entry fear was real. I had never been in the chemo room without her. Would it hold bad memories for me? Would I have an old-fashioned "come apart?"

Instead, I was overwhelmed by the contentment I experienced as I saw the familiar IV poles, big computers, disposable products and trays, the basket of handmade quilts and blankets. Even the Bigelow "tea" station.

My original fear took a back seat to the welcoming familiar smiles of the in-take staff, the lab techs, the nurses, pharmacist and the social worker. Patients filled the recliners. Many were sleeping peacefully as their latest chemotherapy protocol dripped into their veins----a very familiar scene. All still with hope for remission. No finali-TEA for them---not yet. They still have hope for a better tomorrow, this side of heaven. It was Claudia's chair that was unfilled. It's emptiness brought a catch in my throat.

But God....took over in my thoughts. Acceptance of that empty chair came with the reminder that Claudia knew her final destination. How often she reminded me and many at Jones Clinic the truth of John 11:26.

The familiarit-TEA of her voice, with her words of trust, brought the real comfort.
Familiari-TEA such a comfort cuppa.

visibili-TEA

This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand......But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. (Matthew 13: 13 & 16, NASB)

What does it take for one to see clearly?  For me, it's a prescription for bifocals. But even with my spectacles, there are times, especially when reading, that extra light is needed for me to truly see.

Beyond physical sight there is also spiritual "seeing." In a world of opaqueness, there no longer seems to be clear lines when it comes to truth and morality. Our minds are blurred with cultural myths. Not easy to see through the teachings of the media. Our visibility and understanding are skewed.

 More "light" is required. Jesus realized that as He taught both His disciples and the multitudes. The "light" of understanding was needed to see truth and nurture a heart of understanding. Why couldn't they see? Why did the One who is the "Light" have to tell stories? Illumination was required. Spiritual illumination. 

True visibili-TEA comes from eyes and heart opened by the Spirit of the Lord. 

I can see clearly now as I sip from the cuppa of visibili-TEA with my Bible open to the parables in Matthew 13.

sereni-TEA

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3, ESV)

A 1956 Clairol Ad slogan, “Only your hairdresser knows for sure,” rang true as my stylist asked, “Dotsy, are you lingering?” 

What was her clue? My words? My countenance?

Lingering? “Am I?” I asked myself repeatedly over the weekend. Does my schedule allow for times to linger? With the Lord? With family? With friends?

A dictionary search revealed a synonym for linger. Remain. When I remain, physically in my prayer chair as I commune with Him, I can then “remain” spiritually with Him throughout the day.

My mind settles on Him, stays on Him and remains focused on Him. The ensuing result is peace.

Peace synonymous with serenity.

Sereni-TEA. A perfect cuppa as I chose to linger during my “Tea with Thee” time today.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: reali-TEA

1/12/14 Reality TV----not for me, unless Sing-Off, a singing competition featuring a cappella groups, falls under that genre. Yet, realistic fiction is a favorable cuppa of reali-TEA for me. Not hokey, not always with those happy endings.....BUT believable and well written.

One of my last year's favorites in that genre was R. J. Palacio's Wonder, a refreshing narrative about a 5th grade boy with a facial deformity. It's real and it's "worth the read!!" 

This year, another realistic fiction fave, also found on the YA shelf, is Vince Vawter's Paperboy, another worthy read.** Possibly the locale and time, especially familiar to baby boomers, of mid-town Memphis, who grew up watching Howdy Doody, humming Elvis tunes and going to the Mid-South Fair, is what added to the appeal.  My era, but not my locale, so my "draw" to the story was Vawter's use of "words;" unspoken, misused, stammered and revealing, as all were woven into the crux of the story.

Here are a few of Paperboy's reali-TEA gems: 

• I'm typing about the stabbing for good reason. I can't talk. (p.1)
• Mr. Spiro moved his mouth....what came out was strange....like if you turned on the kitchen faucet to get a drink of water and sweet lemonade came out instead. (p.63)
• "You can't replace one hurt with another. You just get double hurts. (p. 92) 
• "....felt so small....could be blown away by slightest puff of wind....But you don't have to worry about any kind of breeze showing up on a late July afternoon in Memphis." (p. 166)
• "Words in the air blow away as soon as you say them but words on paper last forever." (p.221)
• "One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can't utter." (James Earl Jones, p. 223)

A great book to savor with a cuppa The reali-TEA of such is that there is no such thing as a good book that's written just for young people---if it's well-written then it will appeal to everyone. Paperboy is just such a book.

**Later in January, Paperboy won a 2014 Newbery Honor and in April was selected by the American Library Association's Top 10 Historical Fiction for Youth!

"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.

gra-TEA-tude

For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer (I Timothy 4:4-5, NASB)

During a season of discontent, many offers for relief are offered. Even this week, news articles have been written in the morning paper on remedies, for this pattern of sadness and heaviness, that seems to occur this particular time of year.

Some things that come our way in life, regardless of the time of year, can seem anything but good. Yet, scripture reminds us, "in everything gives thanks." (1 Thessalonians 5:18) 

That "prescription" from God's word is more that just a platitude. It's a directive. So, how does one give thanks when he/she doesn't feel thankful. 

Year's ago I read that changing one's focus was a beginning for the cultivation of a thankful heart.  Look for the positive. My "tangible" response to that suggestion was a listing of things I was thankful for---a Blessing Book. A small start with a big result.

Needing a repast of thankfulness, I reread from that book as I spent time with the Lord and sipped my cuppa of gra-TEA-tude. A cuppa that I hope will overflow with a big result.

authentici-TEA

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8, NASB) 

"Tea is a balm for the soul, don't you agree?" Mrs. P. L. Travers (Emma Thompson) asked Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) on the Malco big screen where "Saving Mr. Banks" was showing.

Mr. Disney accepted the tea and the sentiment BUT he understood beyond that. He saw Mrs.Travers, whom he insisted on calling by her given name, for who she was. He also sought to help her not only see her true self, but to accept it as well. 

Accepting one another, warts and all, is authentici-TEA in relationships.

The Lord models that. He genuinely loves us and accepts us. He provides forgiveness as the balm we need. 

The old African-American spiritual,"There is a Balm in Gilead," says it well.

There is a balm in Gilead

To make the wounded whole;

There is a balm in Gilead 

To heal the sin sick soul.

 Accepting each other and sharing our own cuppa of authentici-TEA, is a good basis for a genuine relationship. It might even provide a balm for one who is hurting.

Tea Choice: uncertain-TEA? certain-TEA?

The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me: Your steadfast love, O Lord endures forever; Do not forsake the work of Your hands. (Psalm 138:8, ESV)

Uncertainty! Isn't that what life is full of? These days uncertainty seems to be the status quo. Many folks "sip" it daily. Sips might be the norm, but continuous gulping of uncertain-TEA can result in fear. One needs to remember the Lord and His faithfulness. One needs to be careful.......not sinking into a fear-induced despair.
Recently I have tried to "manage" the blows of life with a "bootstrap" mentality.
Pulling self up......Getting a grip.......Rather than fully relying on the Lord and His Word.

As the psalmist called upon the Lord, I should also cry out to Him and await His answer, allowing Him to increase the strength of my soul. (138:3) Then, I, too, can wait in an expectation of certainty as the Lord fulfills His purpose for me.

Certain-TEA, a tea sweetened by His love, to be savored with HIm.

weigh-TEA

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2, KJV)

Bogged down for several weeks with some disturbing feelings, thoughts, and possible decisions that seemed to weighty for me, I finally asked for help. Help in the form of prayers from the household of faith. God's people. Some things need to be shared.

There are some "teas" that need to be brewed with the Lord's help---- "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28) and then poured out to others.

"Come along inside and we'll see if tea and buns can make the world a better place." (Wind in the Willows)

Weigh-TEA-----should be a "tea for two." 

Vitali-TEA

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10B, NASB)

Words from Ally, a waitress, jumped off the pages of The Walk as I read it in the early morning hours.
"I meet dead people every day." Her lunch counter philosophy gave me pause as she equated dead people with those breathing people who have just given up on life. "That's all death requires of us, to give up living." (Evans, p.127) How does one get back the zip and zest for living that vitality brings into  his/her life?

Abundant life of vitality comes from union with Him.

Time with the Lord in His Word and in prayer gives needed vitality to life.

Sippin' vitali-TEA with Bible open on my lap and heart open in prayerful communion.
Perfect combo for "Tea with Thee."