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Tea Time Tuesday
Greetings from snowy Colorado, my lovelies. Praying grace, peace, joy and strength for you these next weeks of holiday celebration.
Today, I looked at this photo and already it is a sweet memory. The house was filled with children’s voices, laughter, chatting, and the noise of 7 people living together, for that moment, together in a charming cottage. As I had my treasured moments to hold baby Elanor close in my arms, I knew to live into the moment amidst the busyness of the household. She was here, healthy, lovely and soft and I could will my love and God’s love to seep deep into her little soul. I was holding a treasure at this moment in time.
I already look at Lilian, Samuel, and Lucie, my other grands, and see how quickly they have grown up and their own “babyhood”—slipped away right in front of my eyes. So many times, when I have been in a particular season, like nursing my babies, or tucking my children into bed and night and they want to talk, or sharing a companionship moment with Clay when partnering in this group called Clarksons, or hearing the secrets of my teens, and I have taken it for granted. I can suppose that “I’ll have another chance to do this again.”
My friend, Jacqui and I were talking about how, for a time, we had adventure days where, as friends, we would plan every Tuesday to foray out into a new English hamlet near Oxford, to discover a new charity shop or beautiful fields to walk in, or a tea house where we could sip and tell secrets. And yet, suddenly, without warning, our ability to get together on Tuesdays changed. Schedules shifted, responsibilities came and our committed time of friendship adventuring together on Tuesdays was over, at least for now.
When I spent my last days in Oxford some days ago, I made sure to make the most of each person I spent time with, to look them in the eyes, to listen to what was in their words and on their heart—because I knew that I might never have this moment to enjoy, to remember, to celebrate.
The holidays bring such an array of activities, things to do, traditions to occupy our time. Yet, if we want to make this holiday memorable and special, we need to determine to be present in the moment with those in our midst, our children, friends, relatives, neighbors. This is the day, this is the moment the Lord has made.
Today on my Tea Time Tuesday podcast, I share some of my Oxford experiences, favorite Thanksgiving food, of course music, books, and a challenge to make advent season a time of delisting in the Lord. Give Him the gift of your whole heart this season, worship Him, enjoy His presence, take time to experience His companionship, look for His fingerprints in your days, and tell Him how much you love Him.
Happiest of Thanksgiving to you, my friends. I am thankful for you.