What a lovely day of memory-making with Girlfriends’ Community of Calvary Church, family, and friends! Tea parties have been a dormant tradition I had with the girls as they were growing up, and with so many little grandchildren, I have patiently waited and hoped it would be possible to do it again.

God’s timing is always perfect and so sweet.

The time arrived, oh want a mixed bag of emotions (all good) from tears of joy to tears of mourning and grief.

Preparing a table can be an intimate outpouring of love. Ladies choose to host and decorate tables for myriad reasons. Knowing who will be at the table and knowing how much you care for each one is a magnificent blessing.

If you, like me, treasure others – you might press into the Lord with thanksgiving as you give attention to each detail before everyone comes together. You may also feel a fellowship with the Holy Spirit as He whispers,

“This is joy; enjoy. This is what I do for you. I have prepared a table for you in the presence of your enemies and right now (as in time one earth because your soul lives on earth in your body but already abides in heaven spiritually) nothing else needs to matter. Nothing needs to distract you from how much I love you.”

Again, if you are like me, a tear of complete awe and appreciation rolls down your cheek as you deeply praise Jesus for the opportunity to have another breath, another day, another generation with which to share such joy even as another generation has or is fading away. But for God’s grace, I would not be here.

I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him. Psalm 40:1-3

A Longing Fulfilled

Let me explain, at my table were three generations of promise fulfillment as the Lord declares. To the one that turns to God Almighty, “but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Three generations were physically present: me, my daughters, my granddaughters, and in a photo my mom. Growing up I never had moments like this with my mom, but that in itself is a longing transformed into a gift of redemption. I did for my daughters out of a longing for something that really flowed from a desire I know the Lord put in my heart. The Lord gives us desires in our hearts. For what do you long?

  

Prepping a single table with many table hosts and fellowship surrounding getting ready for guests is priceless. It is a sweet time of fellowship and having a bunch of women create, chat, admire, encourage, and build one another up as each lady of hostess gives her best to set a table for her honored guest to be lavished with love. 

I wonder if you might let my reflections (still misty-eyed in appreciation) stir you to be still and consider asking the Lord – how much do I take for granted that in a moment could all be gone? How often do I allow engagement with my Creator as I do something for fun, an event, perhaps something that I would otherwise think of as everyday stuff  I do? Am I missing something Lord? Do I bask in joy? Lord, do I push past and miss moments with you in my busyness to get things ready for anything?

Seriously, I used to put a tiara on my head to do the dishes because I detested doing dishes, especially when I was tired.

On to my head, the tiara went when my attitude was the worst to remind me that I am the daughter of the King of Kings. His majesty makes his daughter royalty and a true princess. His servant’s heart is what I needed, and wearing it postured me with a tangible object on my head to usher me into a prayer of seeking transformation from stinking thinking to doing the dishes by the renewal of my mind. My attitude needed to transform into that of a servant. I would ask Him to I love as He loves, and see myself as He sees me – a wounded grown woman with a hurt little girl that has no good memories surrounding doing dishes until something changes. 

You may think I’ve chased a rabbit, but no, this is no rabbit hole and Alice is not in a wonderland. 

Someone reading this needs to know that there is always hope. There is redemption. You are loved. You are always on the mind of Christ. You need to know that things you find no joy in right now do not have to stay that way. 

It is easy to succumb to a domino effect of hurt and all its emotions. It is an intentional and sometimes not so easy choice to surrender in submission to a Savior that knows to what end and how He will redeem every hurt and wipe away every tear. God never wastes a hurt.

I pray you are being moved in spirit and truth. The Lord gave Israel this promise “I will redeem the years the locust have stolen.” this is also a promise for every child of God. Let him restore it all. It is possible because “His divine power has given us His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 2:1:3

 

Purity

It was not just tea. For me, it was evident that the Holy Spirit ushered me into blissful Kairos (or eternal time). While I was in the present I was also in moments I can only explain as being in a tabernacle with the presence of utter holiness. It was heaven. Everything about me was literally in soul on earth as it is in heaven. Every moment of preparation, hosting, taking in the joy of those to be at my table was all pure J-O-Y. 

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is a gift we choose or lose when the enemy continues to rob us of joy from places of festering hurt that remain unattended. Come to the Healer, the Father, through the Son, and by the power of the Holy Spirit loves you and wants for you to live a life of Freedom. It is for salvation and true liberty that Christ died to set captives free.

It was more than just a tea, so much more.   

 

The J.A.R.

Do not let this be a passing read. Sit and sip a cup of tea or coffee. Open what we call the “JAR” the books of John, Acts, and Romans, and you too will come to know a wonder-working Savior, His work of releasing the Holy Spirit into what is His church – people. Wrap up with Romans so that you learn what and how living out your faith grows as you grow. Your faith is of greater worth than you may know right now. Just trust that you will be transpired as HE works in and through you.

By the way, I still don’t care to do dishes but washing china – that excites me! The same work takes on a different meaning. Washing those dishes means something and someone special has been at my table. Yes, Christ!

My not wanting anything to break is a great reminder that I don’t want anything to break the fellowship between me and my Lord. What would be different for you if, like me, your life is transformed?

I’m here to pray for you or listen. Life can be hard, but it is not something you have to do alone. Don’t walk alone, the enemy is fierce and he does seek whom he can devour. Isolation is a dangerous way to navigate hard times. Know that you are surrounded by more people than you know who care about you and given the chance might just be praying for an opportunity to speak encouragement into your situation.

The Tea

You are loved. He is calling you. 

In my book Love Me To Life I share how we as the body of Christ can show up more effectively when someone is struggling.

Statistics indicate that a person is 40% more likely to approach a friend, co-coworker, clergy, or small group leader before considering talking to a mental health professional. Being available for help or to help is a blessing. Keep breathing and if you need someone to listen or have ever had a friend need someone beyond your skillset save these numbers in your contacts on your cell phone.

 

Resources

Suicide Hotline 1-800-784-2344. For information about upcoming suicide prevention training click here.

To book a coaching consult or inquire about booking Veronica to speak at your event email book@conflcitresolutionspeaker.com