Here in America, we don’t generally stop our day to take time for a breather and a break. They do in other parts of the world. And manage to fit in all the things in their busy schedules somehow. In England, in Italy, all across the globe people recognize the need to pause in their day, collect their senses (sometimes I think it is my sanity I need to collect) and just relax.
At Esther’s Place, we try to make it a habit to do that. If you come in, please allow yourself time for a cup of tea. Gathered around the table, you never know what will come up, who you will meet, what you will be inspired by, how God moves and ministers to you and how your life can be changed. I want to share with you a few conversations this week….
I think our tea times are really more for me to reflect on being real and taking time to hear God’s voice in this busy world. Today I had in a mother who lost her daughter this year. Her daughter was around my age when she was diagnosed with a debilitating disease. She struggled and through it all was a testimony to the eternal hope and joy that God can bring even when suffering is unbearable and the future is unknown. Sitting here with her mom, listening to her share their experience of going through the days, months and seasons without her daughter was so touching. It made me reflect on our relationships in life and how important they are. That relationship is more important than finding the perfect gift for that person this season. It is the gift of us.
I had someone else surprise me the other day. She has come out every holiday season, and last year when she came out, she sprang on me the news that she was moving to China with her husband. Turns out that, a year later, she has made friends with women from all over the world. Their common thread is fiber and in their knitting group, they share not common language but emotions, concerns and compassion in a way that no uttered word can compete. She stocked up on fiber and felting kits to take back and now our Christmas felting traditions are to be shared. And here in the shop we are enjoying tea brought to us; the same kind of tea I bet those women sip on while knitting in their group.
During our tea times, people become acquainted with old neighbors, former co-workers and complete strangers; in their conversations they find commonalities and connections. They learn from each other- hints about cooking, cleaning, politics, matchmaking, handwork, and all sorts of subjects. It’s delightful to sit back, sipping on a cup of hot tea, the flavors and conversations mingling, awakening and invigorating me.
That shrill of the tea-pot calls. As I pull open our tea drawer, and pull from the selection of china cups, every place I look is a reminder of people’s generosity and interactions. And it makes me smile.
My husband and I wish to express our gratitude for your hospitatlity today and the shared cup of tea, conversation, instruction, patience and encouragement. It was such a lovely, relaxing way to spend the final day of this year and a great way to begin the new year.