Stopping for Tea
Do you need help with scheduling your time so that you have more time to spend with the Lord? We would love to pray for you. http://christianwomentoday.com/prayer/share.html
“Stop!” Samuel said to Saul “Let me tell you what the Lord said to me last night” (1 Samuel 15:16).
We found it by accident. After a brisk winter walk in a park north of New York City, we were ready for a hot cup of tea or coffee. After parking the car, we began walking toward the town center. And there it was—a cozy tea room with small tables, friendly staff and quietly conversing customers. The thick menu described hundreds of teas and several appetizing food items. With our selections finally made and the aromatic brews poured, we visibly relaxed. With a plaintive sigh, our daughter asked, “Why don’t I stop for this every day?” She is a high school teacher and her many responsibilities and relationships seem to fill every waking moment.
Time for a cup of tea—or coffee or hot chocolate—or it may not involve any beverage at all. The importance of the ritual involves stopping. For the follower of Jesus, stopping is crucial—stopping the whirl of activities, stopping the ever-present household or career responsibilities, stopping well-meant ministry. Just stopping. Stopping to hear and drink in the quiet voice of God.
We read that Jesus often left the crowds with their deep physical and spiritual needs to stop. He even stepped away from his disciples to whom He would soon entrust the Kingdom. We must do no less. When will you stop for your cup of tea today?
Lord, stopping seems so unproductive! I have been trained to believe that to stop means an interruption in moving forward toward success. Please continue to remind me that I will only hear “what the Lord said to me” if I stop.
Questions: What are some ways that you take the time to “stop” and listen to what God has to say to you? Why is it important to you to take that quiet time with God?
About the Author Marilyn Ehle
Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Becoming like Jesus is a Slow Process, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog
Thank you so much for your prayers. May God also be with you.
Marilyn E., thank you for the devotional. My ‘stopping’ is daily Bible study each morning. I also enjoy immensely certain authors of devotional books.
Barbara, I too journal and I find much comfort in writing my love letters to the Lord. I have been doing this daily ritual for so long now that I can not not do it. i take my Bible and journal when I travel. even on vacation, I make the time. my day is not the same without His inspiration and love. we recently went on a week’s much needed rest and relaxation week where it was warm, no phones, no computers. only peace and serenity. as i was packing for the trip i made sure that my Bible, journal and pen were packed as well. on the plane there and back, the tray was down and the Bible was out.
it’s important to me because He gives me strength and inspiration and I can talk to Him when I don’t understand, when i’m concerned, when I am being blessed. no matter where I am, the Lord our God is with me. I can’t imagine not ‘stopping’. my day would have no meaning without out it
anon i am praying for you as you start you new teaching job God bless you
I am also teaching high school, I just began my internship. Please lift up a prayer for me! I need God’s strength & grace to guide me through each day! Thank you sisters! Yes, may we remember to hear His voice! Thanks God bless.
thank you
My husband is having health issues and I find my self struggling with setting aside quit it time with the Lord. When ever I am out of doors in the realm of trees, birds, blue sky, white clouds, the river I can’t help to feel so very close to my Heavenly Father. My heart feels so full of joy – with all the freshness of God’ art work of nature. I feel the closes to Him at these times.
I also enjoyed this devotional. There are times when I get so anxious about things, family, finances, our economy in general. The Lord can’t help me if my mind is locked up in fear.
Yesterday the sun was shining and it was relatively warm, 60, and after a long hard winter I spent time outdoors sitting on my front porch enjoying the sunshine while I crocheted a prayer shawl.
I sat there with the Lord and took time to thank him for the warm spring weather, the for birds who have found their way back this spring. Children were out riding bikes, playing with other neighborhood children and couples were getting in some exercise walking.
That was my quiet time alone with the Lord, enjoying the sights and sounds around me. I felt as if the Lord were sitting there with me smiling peacefully at all that we were taking in.
I find that each day i have to stop and take some quiet time ALONE to be with God. Yesterday, I was having an off morning but as soon as I found some alone time (A FEW MINUTES) to write in my journal and vent to God the whole entire afternoon and evening turned around instantly.
I love when I have a cup of tea and imagine enjoying it with my Lord. I recite “I LOVE WAKING UP WITH JESUS IN MY CUP” a remake of the old Folgers in my cup commercial! When I settle down with HIM my cup runs over with joy…..
Barbara