Jesus Comes for a Cup of Tea

If you’re anything like me, you can’t wait to experience God moments.

I mean, He is ALWAYS with us. But what I am talking about is really knowing that He is with you right now in this moment orchestrating this event. I can’t imagine the excitement on God’s face when He sees that His children see it’s Him! I get goosebumps just thinking about it! I love God! I love being in His presence! I love experiencing His God moments!

Listen for His voice

God speaks to each of us in different ways;  a rainbow in the sky reminds us of His promises, a kind word or gesture from a stranger gives us a paradigm shift, or a medical diagnosis suddenly disappears with no trace – a miracle for all to see. I love hearing the stories of encounters with Jesus.

My friend, Darcy, is fascinated with doors and keys. She can find God moments in them all the time. I love to hear her stories of how God shows up and speaks to her through these items. God speaks to me through metaphors, poetry, and numbers. So, when others have and want to share their God moments, I love to soak them in. God is awesome!

One day, I was at an estate sale checking out some woodworking tools for my husband when I came across a set of old skeleton keys. My thoughts turned straight to Darcy. I picked them up thinking she would love them. I made the purchase.  Little did I know that she was wrestling with an important decision involving her life and family and asking God for clarity.

I tucked the keys in my work bag hoping our paths would cross so I could give her the gift “I” found. I emphasize the word “I” because nothing is done by accident; God is in full control!

The Importance of Friendship

We arranged to meet for tea later next week. The keys were still tucked away in my bag and every once in a while, I would see them and think and pray for Darcy. As the day got closer to when we would see each other again I felt compelled to take one of the keys off the ring and place it on my regular key ring so that every time I saw them, I would remember and pray for my friend.

Without truly looking at them, I removed a key and a lock and placed them on my key ring. I found a small gift bag, wrapped the rest up in tissue paper, and placed them in the bag for when she would stop by.

The day approached and I found myself in good spirits despite the rough week at work I’d experienced. I was looking forward to meeting with Darcy. God always shows up when we are together, and I was in need of a real God moment.

She arrived with two of her three daughters in tow. I was baking banana bread when my daughter came down the stairs. Together, all five of us stood in the kitchen watching Darcy open her gift.

Immediately her eyes glistened. She rolled the keys around in her hands for a bit, then she exclaimed, “There’s a scripture on this one!” and held the key up. “Faith, did you know there was a scripture on this?”

I was as surprised as everyone else. “I have a confession to make,” I announced as Darcy turned the keys over in her hand reveling in God’s grace. She looked up as I confessed. “I stole one of the keys from the ring so that I could remember you every time I saw it and remember to pray for you.”

God is Delighted

“Mom,” My daughter asked,  “what if you took one that has a scripture on it too?”

“No way!” I ran to get my key chain. I tossed it to the counter where my daughter picked up the key and turned it over. Lo and behold it had the same scripture! Goosebumps climbed my arms.  I love how God does that!

One girl announced, “God must be so delighted in how delighted we are right now.”

“I know!” Another exclaimed. “He is probably up there giggling at our reaction to His Love and Grace.”

Another chimed in, “You’re right! This must be a really awesome Daddy moment for Him.” Every single one of us recognized God’s loving touch in this moment!

God Guides Us if We Listen

We were all excited to see what God was telling us. You see, at work, I had been struggling with doubt and fear and praying that God would open my eyes to the truth. Show me how to be what You have called me to be even in the midst of non-believers…

I grabbed my grandmother’s Living Truth Bible and opened to the scripture on the key; Ephesians 6:19. I noticed sticky tabs I placed there during my last read-through. I turned the page to chapter 6 and saw the very verse we were about to read was already marked with my grandmother’s yellow highlighter. I read the verse out loud.

“Pray for me, too, and ask God to give me the right words as I boldly tell others about the Lord, and as I explain to them that His salvation is for the Gentiles too.” What a fitting verse for both of us. We were elated that God revealed Himself to us. Having our daughters there to witness God’s amazing love for his girls was icing on the cake.

Be Thankful Always

So caught up in the moment, we began to pray. All five of us bowed our heads and just lifted God up. What a glorious moment. To know that we have a God who loves us so much that He chose to take the time to reveal himself in such a way that it was a huge blessing to all five of his daughters on one simple morning. He came to our small gathering for a cup of tea and a bite of banana bread.

Thank you, Jesus. We love you and look forward to more of these moments where you reveal yourself to each and every one of us again. May we see with eyes wide open. Remember with our hearts. And boldly tell the world who you are!