by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Tea and encouragement. I prayed God would weave them together for a greater purpose. I’d hosted tea parties in my home but sensed God shaping my desire into something even more personal.
One day, while browsing an antique shop in Myrtle Beach, SC, I spotted the answer to my prayer sitting on a shelf, painted in delicate blue/yellow stripes and shaped like a petite one-cup tea-pot. With it, all the other details flowed into place.
When we returned from the beach, I wasted no time assembling a “Barnie Basket,” Barnie, aka Barnabas,”Son of Encouragement,” from Acts 4:36.
Each week, I’d pray for God to give me the name of a woman in our church in need of encouragement. On Sunday mornings, I would ask her to meet me at my car after the service. There, I would hand off the basket and point to the enclosed note card for all the details.
In the note, I shared how God had laid her on my heart and that inside the basket was an opportunity for one-on-one tea time with her heavenly Father.
In the basket, I placed:
- One answer-to-prayer teapot
- One teacup, along with an individually-wrapped teabag
- A journal and pen (the recipient was encouraged to journal about her time with the Lord and to read the entries made by previous recipients.)
- Homemade cookies, packaged biscotti, or tea cookies
- Mini-scripture notes written specifically for the recipient
She need only place the teacup, teapot, and journal in the basket to return to me the following Sunday morning.
That was almost twenty years ago.
Five years ago, a dear friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer. I desperately wanted to lift her spirits as she would soon face a double mastectomy. Then I remembered that this friend was one of the first recipients of the Barnie Basket all those years ago. I searched my shelves for the journal that had traveled home with so many friends and turned to the page of her entry. In it, she shared in detail how she trusted God above all else — no matter what. I carefully removed the page from the journal and framed it for her, presenting it to her a few days before her surgery. It was a special moment, indeed.
We never know, do we? But God does.
Tea Maker
Steeped in His Word
Infused with His love
Sweetened by His Spirit
Stirred from above.
-Patsy Clairmont
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Do you sometimes go to a particular spot to pray?
I have a friend, Dee Dee, who lives in the NC hills. Actually, a hollow. When introducing me to her several years ago, Beth used the words prayer warrior. Now I know why.
Many a day, Dee Dee has headed outdoors to her prayer bush on my behalf or that of my family. At times she places a ribbon on the bush as a reminder of a particular request. I’m hoping she’ll blog in more detail about her special place of prayer in the near future.
While a bush itself holds nothing special when it comes to prayer, I took two things into consideration when picking mine out:
- I searched for an evergreen as a reminder that Jesus always lives to intercede for me. (Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25). And unlike deciduous shrubs, evergreens remain the same regardless of the season. (Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8)
- Fragrance was a must. Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! Psalm 141:2
The winner? A four-year old Fragrant Tea Olive. It just so happens to be one of my favorite shrubs (which explains why I’ve planted 6+ in our yard.) It’s not the prettiest shrub in my yard, but then again, neither are my prayers. They’re simple, not eloquent or poetic, just as my Father desires.
So, how about you? I’d love to hear one of your favorite places to pray and/or what shrub you would choose from your yard to use as your prayer bush.
Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this
fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by
those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 2:15
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
I wonder if she peeks over my shoulder on days like this.
Days when I comb my granddaughter’s hair like she once combed mine. Soft and slow, watching each strand snap back into place.
Days when my granddaughter takes off running for the daffodil patch in hopes of finding one to pluck from its hiding spot.
Days when I sit with my baby grandson on one knee and a “big girl” granddaughter on the other, both vying for my attention — one with a coo and the other with a pat on the shoulder.
Days when tears make way over my crooked smile as I stare at pictures of another sweet granddaughter far away, yet so close to my heart.
I know of no biblical evidence to support my wondering ways. Yet to place any mortal-minded limitations to what God might do in the heavenlies is foolish.
The Word does say that we cannot perceive what God has prepared for those He loves. So does this mean I believe God somehow allows my grandmother to occasionally peek through the portals of heaven?
I can’t say for sure, but on days like this, I can’t help but smile at the possibility.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever. Psalm 125:2
Welcome to the makings of a Psalm 125:2 Tea Gathering! The purpose of this particular gathering is to surround a person with love, encouragement, and prayer. The honoree may be currently going through a difficult time or will soon be facing one.
Consider ahead of time: Ask those who will be in attendance (except the honoree) to be praying about a specific verse they feel God would have them share with the honoree during your gathering. Also, they may want to consider a word of encouragement to accompany their verse. This will be one of the most meaningful moments during your gathering, so giving your guests a week or more to prepare their thoughts will enhance your time even more.
Click here to get all the details on this gathering from the setting to closing out your time together. Feel free to change it up! These are simply suggestions I’ve discovered to be helpful along the way.
What’s your favorite part of a tea party? If you’ve never attended one does it sound like something you’d enjoy?
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
I love one-liners, especially when they’re girded with truth. As our community Bible study group closes out the Gideon study I’m reminded of the testimonies we’ve received. Spiritual eyes opened, forgiveness forged, and callings confirmed. May the fragrance of Christ continue to invade our lives and captivate those around us.
15 one-liners from our study:
- Today’s difficulties are often a result of yesterday’s disobedience.
- Ordinary is often the disguise of the divine.
- Knowing God’s purpose requires first being aware of God’s presence.
- Opened eyes precede your calling being realized.
- Today’s tasks are preparation for tomorrow’s calling.
- If God said it then, He still means it now.
- Who you are is more important than what you have been called to do.
- Pride forgets. Humility remembers.
- Many of life’s external difficulties find their roots in the internal reality of pride.
- Don’t try to retain what God is asking you to release.
- Your faith can be stronger than a fleece.
- A vessel’s value is not determined by its composition but by its contents.
- Finishing well could mean not finishing.
- Modernized idolatry is still idolatry.
- Commitments trumps convenience.
Which of these means the most to you right now?
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits. Psalm 103:2
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Perhaps you remember my post When Wonder Taps on Your Window from last summer?
In it, I shared how an older woman tapped on my car window at the least expectant moment. I’d not seen her in years but she quickly filled the gap with questions. It went something like this: Cathy,
do you remember the basket you made for me and Keith? (Her husband
was terminally ill at the time.) You had little gifts in it and each one
had a Scripture verse that matched the gift. Some women in my church
would like to start making the same baskets for hurting people in our
church. Could you write those down for me?
Below are a few of the gifts that were tucked in Keith’s basket that day. Each includes a suggested tag along with a Scripture verse.
- A pocket-pack of
Kleenex (Pier One has colorful options for less than a dollar.) Taped to the pack, a tag read: Not one of your tears has gone unnoticed by
your heavenly Father. He cares…and so do I. You have kept count of my wanderings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? (Psalm 56:8)
- Mini-loaf of bread.
Tied with a pretty ribbon, the tag read: Jesus, the bread of
Life, is the source for all your needs — emotionally, physically, and
spiritually. Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35)
- Votive candle. I dropped the votive in a small
clear bag and tied the top with a simple cord or ribbon, with a tag that read: You’re not alone during this difficult time. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
Know someone in need of a little encouragement this week? The gifts above are practical and inexpensive but they point to an extravagant Love.
If you have an idea to add to the list, I’d love to hear more. To God be the glory!
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father
of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17
