by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Searching for a way to connect with other women in your neighborhood? What could be more inviting than conversation over a cup of tea?
With the Celebrating Our Uniqueness Tea, each woman brings her favorite teacup or mug to the gathering. It’s a casual way to learn more about those around our table—how God wired them, our commonalities, as well as our differences.
This particular tea gathering is a new one for me. I created it out of a desire to stretch myself beyond the borders of comfort. As a long-standing introvert I admit that inviting people I know only in passing isn’t a comfortable place to be, but rarely is comfort the catalyst for anything eternal bound.
Stacks of books and fertile dust bunnies have often dictated when God’s home could be used for His glory. I’m learning, however, that the captivating aroma of Christ can only be released to its fullest potential when I’m willing to open my imperfect home to the perfect Host.
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2
Do
not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have
entertained angels without knowing it. – See more at:
http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Hospitality#sthash.8noAT4jm.dpuf
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Words hold power.
I can testify to this truth after recently having led a Writing to Heal workshop at a retreat for mothers who’ve lost children of any age.
Our goal during each session was simple: Take what’s on the inside and put it on paper.
The handout provided a list of writing prompts, such as:
I am…
I wonder…
I hear…
I see…
The prompts were simple—filling it out was anything but for these moms.
The grieving process differs for everyone. Yet, the commonality represented around the table was palpable as raw emotions puddled on the paper of those sharing their completed prompts. I sat in awe of these courageous women as I listened to their stories of unspeakable loss, and unshakeable faith.
It was a privilege to witness how God used ordinary writing prompts to stir conversation and put 2 Corinthians 1:4 into action. Simple words and faith-filled sorrow mingled to become an act of worship that arose swiftly and sweetly before the Lord.
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When
they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has
given us. 2 Cor. 1:4
Jan, thank you for inviting me to participate in this ministry. It’s a day I won’t soon forget. God bless you all.
Also, a special thanks to Lisa from
Lory’s Place in St. Joseph, Michigan. She was incredibly generous with her time, expertise, and handouts. You were a Godsend, my friend!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
With Easter just around the corner, I thought this might be the perfect week to share some ideas for an Easter Tea Celebration! Although we have the privilege of celebrating our NEW life in Christ every day, I can’t imagine a better season to slow down, savor the depth of its meaning, and rejoice with others over a cup of tea.
It wasn’t until recently that I realized Christ never asked His followers to celebrate His birth. Instead, He asked or commanded His followers to celebrate His death.
“..And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave
it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you; do this in
remembrance of me. Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you (Luke
22: 19-20).”
The Easter Tea doesn’t include elements of the Lord’s Supper, but Jesus is our focus. You won’t find the “Easter Bunny” on this guest list! The sweet aroma of Christ is sure to stir meaningful conversation and memories that won’t soon be forgotten. To God be the glory!
To view the Easter Tea Celebration, please click here.
Thanks so much for stopping by today. Would you consider taking just a moment to share one of your favorite Easter traditions or memories with us?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Growing up, one of my favorite things to do at MaMa’s (my dad’s mother) house was to sneak into her walk-in pantry, reach up as far as my tippy toes would take me and snatch a cherry lollipop from the Lollipops For Good Little Boys and Girls box nailed on the wall. Lime pops were always tossed back, of course.
MaMa, to hear my dad and uncles tell it, was a strict disciplinarian when they were growing up. No wonder! Four boys and a husband who worked 12 hour days could make for a bit of tension. As a grandmother, however, while feisty and a bit headstrong, her love was evident up until her dying day in 2010. MaMa often mentioned how she could see “Bob” (her son, my dad) in me. I believe it’s one of the reasons her face lit up every time I visited, especially in her latter years.
Now, as a grandmother, I understand her delight. When I look at my grandchildren, I see their fathers, my sons.
Colossians 3:3 says, “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
As Christ followers, we are called His children (John 1:12) Because Jesus chose to be nailed to a cross on our behalf, God no longer sees our imperfections; He sees the righteousness of Jesus, His Son, instead. (2 Cor. 5:21) When God sees you and me, he sees his Son.
You and I can’t do anything to make God love us more, nor can we do anything to make God love us less. Thank You Jesus!
Thankfully, my ability to emerge from MaMa’s pantry with cherry laced lips was never dependent on whether I deserved it or not. Her For Good Little Boys and Girls lollipop box was nailed to the wall simply because she loved her grandchildren.
And it’s for this very reason it hangs on my kitchen wall today.
You are significant and utterly cherished. Not because you are ‘good,’ but because you are Mine. ~Jennifer Dukes Lee, Love Idol
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
