The Steep

I love tea, like a whole lot and because of this I am almost always drinking a cup. The frequency of one of my favorite pastimes has made me somewhat of a connoisseur, maybe not of tea itself (don't quiz me on whites versus blacks) but of the tea drinking experience. One of the aspects of this hobby is preparation. I know what you're thinking, "It's tea Ina. You boil water then dunk the tea bag, it's not rocket science." But there is an art to tea preparation, and I recently realized, a very important spiritual lesson to be learned from that art. It's called steeping. You pour the water over the bag then close a lid over the mug or pot allowing the tea to saturate the water.

What's the point? Well you know how you drink tea and think "I barely taste anything," then you take the last two sips and think "so that's where all the flavor went!" When I let my tea steep for about two minutes the flavors are more evenly distributed and it makes for a better taste the whole mug-ful through!

I've noticed that when God is teaching me something new He does it in pieces; just the concept first, the shape of the lesson. Then He goes back over it with a sermon, song, book, or conversation and that helps me truly grasp specifics and action items. I love the process because it reassures me of God's love for me, that He would take time to not only teach me something but break it down into parts so that the lesson becomes part of my inner landscape. He isn't just teaching me, He is cultivating me.

After my most recent encounter it occurred to me that there was something I could do to help me lock in these new lessons. I can take a page from my book of tea love and let the lesson steep. I can close the lid on these new thoughts, scriptures, and prayers by being still and quiet with them consistently. This way the flavors of these lessons will be evenly distributed throughout my life. Then, the taste of my life, poured out for Christ will be flavorful, balanced and delicious.

Yummmm,

Ina