Welcome!
Please, pull up a chair, make yourself comfy, and I’ll pour us a cuppa tea. I wish
we could physically sit across such a table together, but since most of
us cannot, I created a summer tea time on Tuesday’s just for us.
As
mentioned in this post,
I’m the first to say there is no replacement for Bible study in a
Christ-followers life. In addition to studying the Word in-depth, we grow in our walk whenmaking continuous low droning sounds while sitting in a certain position
meditating on His Word by taking a small portion of scripture, praying over
it, and pondering its meaning for our lives. Sipping on scripture throughout the summer is sure to be a divine delight!
mentioned in this post,
I’m the first to say there is no replacement for Bible study in a
Christ-followers life. In addition to studying the Word in-depth, we grow in our walk when
meditating on His Word by taking a small portion of scripture, praying over
it, and pondering its meaning for our lives. Sipping on scripture throughout the summer is sure to be a divine delight!
Today’s tea time is a particularly personal one for me, so thanks in advance for allowing my tears to flow as freely as our tea.
This week’s scripture passage emerged after last week’s meeting with Shirley, a kind but straightforward personal care coordinator. It was a mandatory one-hour appointment to review my health for insurance purposes. We began with my favorite activity, stepping on the dastardly scales. I asked (okay, begged) her not to tell me the number. We discussed how my thyroid levels bonked in 2008 and the weight issue I’ve dealt with ever since. I shared how I’d told the endocrinologist my plan to begin Weight Watchers, to which he replied You can give it a try but I doubt it will help. You have no metabolism. I complained to Shirley how he wasn’t very encouraging, to which she responded No…he’s just being realistic.
In a split second, Shirley became a blur behind my unexpected tears. She stopped typing, looked my way, and said Cathy, you are way too hard on yourself. Your expectations are too high based on the thyroid situation alone, not to mention the other things working against you.
It wasn’t the first time I’d heard those words but for some reason they struck an especially raw and painful chord within. Perhaps I’m not alone in this struggle with weight and self-image issues?
Heavenly Father, maker of heaven and earth…and each of us, would you still the chaos within? Chaos created by our own expectations. Chaos created by a culture that says spotless skin and a size 4 waist is necessary for life and love. Lift our eyes to the eternal purposes of this body, shaped by Your hands and molded for Your purposes, motivating us to care for it well. Help us to cling to truth at all times. Amen.
This week’s morsel of truth we’re praying will steep richly and deeply
into our hearts and minds:
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30
Now,
let’s choose one word, or a few, to “sip” on throughout this week.
Jot it down on an index card or sticky note and place it in a visible
spot. Let’s ask the Lord to show us why this one particular word or
phrase stands out at this particular time in our lives.
let’s choose one word, or a few, to “sip” on throughout this week.
Jot it down on an index card or sticky note and place it in a visible
spot. Let’s ask the Lord to show us why this one particular word or
phrase stands out at this particular time in our lives.
I chose the word “deceptive.” How often I’ve skipped over it like a crack in a sidewalk to reach the intended destination, the final part of the verse—for this is my heart’s desire! To revere and love the Lord in all I do and say. And yet, by not giving this one word its proper due, it has become a trip wire stretched taut between my ears.
Finally, let’s jot down one tangible way we can “pour” out His truth in response to the word(s) we’ve chosen above.
Thank you for sharing a tea table with me today at Sharing Life Together…One Sip At A Time. You’re invited to continue the conversation by leaving your word(s) in the comment box or anything else the Lord lays on your heart to share. Blessings!
The
cup of tea on arrival at a country house is a thing which, as a rule, I
particularly enjoy. I like the crackling logs, the shaded lights, the
scent of buttered toast, the general atmosphere of leisured coziness.
~P.G. Wodehouse
cup of tea on arrival at a country house is a thing which, as a rule, I
particularly enjoy. I like the crackling logs, the shaded lights, the
scent of buttered toast, the general atmosphere of leisured coziness.
~P.G. Wodehouse
My word(s) are God's love. Something I struggle grasping and was prompted to wrestle with and truly believe in just tonight.
Ellen, thank you for your willingness to share. I'm praying for you right now — that you will sense God's unconditional and unfathomable love for you in this very moment, sweet friend.
Love you!
Thanks for your transparency, Cathy.
"Rest" is a word I struggle with. I know and understand and am so thankful for grace, but I find it hard to just rest in Him and not strive.
I know He's not interested in my doings. He wants me to rest in my relationship with Him. It's the best kind of rest there is. 🙂
I agree, Vonda. That's sometimes hard to wrap our minds around — resting, not striving in this do, do, do culture we live in.
Words of wisdom, my friend! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
My Word is "fleeting". I am challenged to soak in every moment I have been blessed with and not waste another one trying to meet an expectation that is not bringing eternal glory. Beauty, and everything else but our God, is fleeting. Thanks for this word today Cathy!
Amen, Amy! Great choice, wise insights. I've just added "fleeting" to my word list for this week.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing! I look forward to hearing about your London trip. 🙂 Hopefully you enjoyed a cup of tea for me!
Cathy, thank you for sharing your heart today.
I have so many words swirling around today that I am having prayer time to ask the Lord to bring a word in the forefront.A louder word seems to be "abide"
We can never go wrong with the word, "abide" Dee Dee. 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing. We never know how our word will encourage someone else. I know they've encouraged me.
Much love from SC!
Cathy, I know exactly how you feel. I met with a trainer today and felt overwhelmed just thinking about trying to get back in shape. I guess the word I need to focus on is hope. Discouragement sets in easily when I'm not making progress.
Thanks so much for sharing your heart. It helps to know we're all in this together 🙂
Yes, it does, Carol. Thank YOU for sharing your heart as well.
You'll have to tell me more about your trainer. I've considered doing something similar.
Blessings. I appreciate your stopping by. 🙂