Brewing Shelter in Each Conversation

What I feel we ought to do at this juncture is to dash off somewhere where it's quiet and there aren't so many houses dancing the 'Blue Danube' and shove some tea into ourselves. And over the pot and muffins I shall have something very important to say to you.  ~P.G. Wodehouse 

There aren't many things more satisfying to me than sharing tea--hot or iced--with my mother.  My parents were able to spend a few days with us this week, so I created a table vignette with some of my tea dishes and and by making Esther's Tea Bag Cookies (Esther has free printable teabag tags, too).  We shared a cup of blueberry tea and English toasting bread before bed the first night my mother was here.

Tuesday was "Girl's Day Out."  The tea room I wanted to take Mom to is closed on Tuesday so I went searching for another one.  I found Rita's Backyard Tea Room.  While not as elegant as The Ruby Pear, it was a special place to visit.  Blair was the sweetest girl; she answered our menu questions and served us with quiet efficiency. With the temperature 103 degrees, we opted for iced tea (after looking around to make sure we didn't get plastic glasses).  And the mini deserts were delicious!

But the best part of the tea house was the conversation. My mother is very careful with her conversation -- although she does give me the gift of listening, because if we cannot share our joys and sorrows with our mothers, then who will keep our secrets?   

The best thing though, is that my mother is a walking collection of ideas.  I love throwing out a thought and having it come to completion through our meanderings of "what abouts" and "oh ands.."  I think my mind is more alive when Mom is around.  It feeds off of hers!

What a contrast from time that might be spent in other types of conversations -- fielding ridicule of others, airing gossip and judgmental attitudes -- that leave one exhausted instead of refreshed.Then there's the possibility of those conversations that dutifully turn to the beauty of God and His Word, but have the potential to end up arguing about the interpretation of Scripture, instead of marveling over God's goodness.

Paul told the Ephesians, Watch the way you talk...Say only what helps, each word a gift.  I'm thankful for my friends whose conversations always leave me with joy.  One recent conversation was full of grandbabies--born and unborn.  Organizing ideas, summer plans, concerns we were struggling with and more.  Those words with my friend were a gift, and I left our shared meal with a heart full of refreshment.

It makes me laugh when I think of my friend brewing shelter in our conservation.  She doesn't drink tea -- iced or hot.  Can hot chocolate brew? Or diet Coke? It must be that it's the brewed conversation that shelters.  


I'm going to gift wrap my words and offer them, like P.D. Wodehouse, over muffins and tea. And for those Northern Michigan friends, I'm not above sneaking some hot chocolate into my teapot. 

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Soli Deo Gloria