My Mom always had tea ready when we came home from school. We would sit and share about our day and although it felt like the norm back then, today my tea time memories hold a fond place in my heart. Thank you Mom for all those pots of tea you made for us over the years and for inviting us to sit and connect and share about our day.
I still enjoy a cup of tea, but I was reminded this week, that my fondness comes from the conversation that unfolds at tea time.
Some very dear friends called this week and asked if they could come for tea. Tuesday came and I found I was eager for tea time to arrive. I stopped at the new bakery and picked up some treats. I was reminded of how sweet conversation is over a cup of tea. I was reminded how easy it is to miss tea time experiences when we live in a world of Facebook and texting. Conversation happens all around us without meaningful connection. I was reminded I want to be intentional about connecting and experiencing tea time moments with a whole variety of people in my world.
I wonder if you take time to connect and converse. Not conversations with agendas, but conversations that simply unfold over a cup of tea, or a glass of wine or a pot of coffee. I wonder whose face comes to mind when you think of connecting.
I am hoping planning to create time this year to intentionally connect with people I know or want to know in new ways.
Thank you Bill and Sandy for inviting me to tea with you. It was good for my soul and ignited good things within me.
When I think of two words that describe Ellie Grace,
Spunk and spirit come to mind….
Of course there are more words, but as the youngest of five, she has learned to hold her own and keep up with a fast paced home filled with big personalities and wonderfully demonstrative siblings.
Ellie is full of life and most often has a smile on her face. If she is wronged, she is quick to forgive, if she is hurt, she is quick to recover, if she has extra she is quick to give and if she desires something she is quick to work hard to earn it.
Ellie Grace, you have brought so much joy to us all. Your heart is quick to love and embrace whomever is around you. Your tender heart recognizes injustice and your intuitive spirit is creative about how you move into that whenever possible. You understand bringing goodness to others and I am sure that once you impact someone’s heart for good, they don’t quickly forget you. You love nature, horses, the fair, the cottage, friends, family, diet coke and making money.
I love you Ellie Grace and am thankful for you. As you live out this 14th year, may you experience God’s presence and provision in a very real way. I look forward to spending time with you and making memories that are unforgettable.
Ellie is often one of a crowd….
She is one of 7 in her family, one of 5 siblings, one of 14 grandchildren, one of 7 nieces…
But one thing that is undoubtedly sure in my mind is that Ellie Grace is one of a kind!
I love you sweet girl, forever and ever! Aunt Trish
I was tucking in my four and a half-year old niece tonight after a fun evening of good conversation. She loves to sleep over and Wednesday night is a good night since for a short time yet, she only has to go to school three days a week. She came for dinner with her overnight bag over her shoulder and delight in her being. She is just a happy girl, and loves conversation.
Another fun tidbit about Johanna is that she loves to sleep. So, happiness even follows her as she comments on how amazing the soft blanket feels, how nice it is to have her hair down and how gorgeous her new lotions smells.
And so she pulled up blankets, kissed me good night and asked me to stay with her till she fell asleep.
As i scratched her back and could only see this head of beautiful curly hair, I listened to see if she was sleeping already.
Much to my surprise she was crying.
Our conversation went like this….
(me): Johanna, what is wrong sweet girl?
(her): I don’t know
(me): do you want to call your mom and say good night
(her) I don’t know
(me): it is ok to be sad. I will stay with you. I bet your tired and you will feel so much better in the morning
(her) I don’t know
(me): Would you like me to scratch your back or just lay quietly by you?
(her) turning and facing me with big tears in her eyes, Aunt Trish, I JUST DON’T KNOW
(me) it’s ok that you don’t know. I love you Johanna.
(her) I don’t know lots, but I do know you love me!
And moments later she was asleep.
I think about how often I ask a question and expect an answer. I learned tonight that even at the youngest of ages, I don’t know is sometimes really what the answer is. And as I whispered in her ear tonight, it is ok to not know, that is just fine.
And I want to believe that for me and others as well.
I hope you all are kind to the I don’t know space in your own heart and the heart of others!
I found this quote today and it has stuck with me all day….
I wonder if you remember a compliment or life-giving words that have been spoken to you?
I know that over the years I have learned to think more carefully about what words I speak.
I believe I have gone through the following phases….
First I did not realize that my words had impact
Second I tried to be more careful so my words would not wound someone
Third I learned how to neutralize my words
And finally, I have learned that my words can actually be life-giving words and I can offer them freely
For me, to speak life-giving words is to speak vision, hope or truth or encouragement.
For me, to speak life-giving words is to begin my words with I believe….
I believe your courage will see you through to the end, or I believe the integrity with which you speak will bring change to those around you.
For me, to speak life-giving words is to combine their perception with truth.
I hear that it is hard for you to see your own beauty, but I want you to know that I see beauty in the ways you generously offer your acts of service.
I have noticed that it is difficult for you to speak loud enough to be heard, but I want you to know that I believe you have valuable things to say, and want to hear you.
I believe that life-giving words can be spoken every day. It is not flattery. It is being intentional in how we speak to and love one another. I am thankful for friends and family who understand life-giving words. I am grateful for those who are bold and speak life-giving words to me which encourage my heart and remind me of my call and conviction. Sometimes life-giving words are reminding me that there are choices to make in how I live, that I am not stuck in a place that feels like a rut. Sometime life-giving words call sin sin and remind me of God’s amazing grace. Sometime life-giving words invite me to rest and other times they remind me to keep moving.
And so, as I wrap up this blog, I am reminded that there is no “right” way to speak life-giving words.But they must be spoken in love and communicated from your heart. I hope you will be bold and offer life-giving words to those around you. I hope you have people around you who speak life-giving words to you. It helps me to reflect at the end of a day where I chose to speak goodness and where I missed some opportunities to speak goodness. I find life more fun when I am generous with life-giving words.
Go and live boldly my friends and bring life to those you meet!
I am sure your not surprised that they come around regularly.
I am always a bit surprised how my memory recalls almost every Sunday night the call we got in December of 2012.
The call letting us know of my brothers sudden death in a car accident.
I always carry Len’s memory in my heart and he is never far from my thoughts, but I do not live in a state of constant grief. I remember, I smile, I laugh, I weep, I marvel at God’s presence….
And so, I am a bit surprised when I regularly remember the call right about the time the phone rang 14 months ago….
This week I heard the song Circle Up by Chris Rice. I had heard it at the time of Len’s death, but it really didn’t settle in my heart. Beginning tonight, I am playing this song on Sunday nights when that memory returns. I really don’t know what heaven will be like. I wonder and I believe, but somehow the picture this song leaves me with is an invitation to consider the amazing community of the saints.
And so, tonight, I think of Len, hearing the invitation to Grab a hand, twirl a dance, circle up and worship Him and I believe he loves that, beams with his great grin, shares his belly laughter and delights in being fully alive. I miss you brother. Someday I will circle up with you and you can show me the way!
I hope you will take a few minutes and remember those you know who circle up and allow your heart to be at peace…
Circle up, circle up around the throne
Old and young, saints of every history
Great and small angels are and seraphim
Grab a hand, twirl a dance, circle up and worship Him
Hear the hum of angel curiosity
The children of the Lord are gathering
Finally the day we’ve all been dreaming of
Called up forever in His love
Circle up, circle up around the throne
Old and young, saints of every history
Great and small angels are and seraphim
Grab a hand, twirl a dance, circle up and worship Him
Grab a hand, twirl a dance, circle up and worship Him
Hear the thunder of unfolding wings
Feel the mighty wind their beating brings
Bring your grateful tears and flood the floor
Rise up and worship like a storm
Circle up, circle up around the throne
Old and young, saints of every history
Great and small angels are and seraphim
Grab a hand, twirl a dance, circle up and worship Him
Grab a hand, twirl a dance, circle up and worship Him
Now hear His golden voice above it all
He’s saying this tear is the last to fall
A few simple words and another storm He calms
Invites us all into His arms
Circle up, circle up around the throne
Old and young, saints of every history
Great and small angels are and seraphim
Grab a hand, twirl a dance, circle up and worship Him
Circle up, circle up around the throne
Old and young, saints of every history
Great and small angels are and seraphim
Grab a hand, twirl a dance, circle up and worship Him
Grab a hand, twirl a dance, circle up and worship Him
Grab a hand, twirl a dance, circle up and worship Him
Circle up, circle up around the throne
Old and young, saints of every history
Great and small angels are and seraphim
Grab a hand, twirl a dance, circle up and worship Him
Circle up, circle up around the throne
Old and young, saints of every history
Great and small angels are and seraphim
Grab a hand, twirl a dance, circle up and worship Him
Circle up, circle up around the throne
Old and young, saints of every history
Great and small angels are and seraphim
Grab a hand, twirl a dance, circle up and worship Him
My Mom always had tea ready when we came home from school. We would sit and share about our day and although it felt like the norm back then, today my tea time memories hold a fond place in my heart. Thank you Mom for all those pots of tea you made for us over the years and for inviting us to sit and connect and share about our day.
I wonder if you take time to connect and converse. Not conversations with agendas, but conversations that simply unfold over a cup of tea, or a glass of wine or a pot of coffee. I wonder whose face comes to mind when you think of connecting.
