Tea Time Tuesday: Tea by the Tray

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A true friend intuitively knows when you need a cup of tea and a quiet place to talk and prepares a place for friendship to grow.

Last week was quite busy for me. It seems many people from the US are visiting Oxford right now. I have all sorts of work, people to meet with, my Bible study, meals for others in my home 3 nights in a row. It just happens that in the middle of the week, Clay told me that one of our friend’s college age children and 3 friends wanted to meet with us for tea while they were in Oxford.

My day had been over busy and I felt adrenalin rising as I rushed home from a meeting. I was met in my kitchen with a fully set tea tray, pastries from the local bakery, tea poured in china mugs, candles lit, music playing, candles flickering—all ready and just right. Clay, my husband had arranged it all ahead of time so that I wouldn’t have to do anything—I just didn’t know it ahead of time but was so relieved. Tea is such a part of our family rhythm and habits that He knew just what to do without any instruction.I did’t have to so much as lift a finger and could just enjoy our visit with friends.

Habits of grace, I call these rhythms that bring moments of civility into your day, or give pause and peace to your week.

Seasons of life seem to be changing for all in our family, and I am trying to figure out how it will reshape my days and my online ministry. As my local ministry continues to heat up, I have less time for other commitments. Monday night I hosted a dinner for my wonderful friends in my Bible study, Preparing and shopping, decorating for this dinner meant I did not have time to do a Tea Time Podcast this week. Yet, the time we spent together was so very precious, as many in our group are carrying heavy burdens and pressures, and we needed to be there for one another. What are the ways you have invested time this week on what mattered that may even have interrupted your planned schedule? People, sweet human beings, are the real centerpiece of the ministry God calls us to as we serve Him, not just tasks. Praying and figuring it all out, again, as I have through many seasons. How about you?

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