A Cup of Kindness

Yesterday, sometime between the third and fourth loads of laundry, the doorbell rang. The Fed Ex worker on the other side of the door handed me a box with my name on it and I could see that it was from a tea company. The first thing I thought of was a comment that had been left on my "Unpacked" post below and I thought to myself disbelievingly, 'Could this possibly be from a certain online friend?' Sure enough, when I opened the package there was a box with the words written on it, "Tea for two and two for tea. Tea for you, a gift from me." The note, inviting me to enjoy a cup of "calm," was signed by this certain online friend.

I put the baby for a nap, set the older boys up for some computer time and brewed this amazing blend of tea. I grabbed my copy of Divine Intimacy, and since I'm a little behind, I read the meditation for Gaudete Sunday. I drank in St Paul's words about "The peace of God which surpasseth all understanding..." as I drank this delicious tea in my newly unpacked living room.

This was, by far, the most delicious cup of tea I have ever had. Was it because this was my first experience with this kind of gourmet tea? (I think I'm hooked--Goodbye Gevalia, Hello Adagio) Was it because this was the first moment of real peace I have enjoyed in a very long time? Or was it because this was an unexpected gift from someone I admire? I think the answer is yes to all of the above. The only thing that could have made this experience better, would have been if, somehow, Elizabeth could have been in that seat beside me and the rest of you all around.

(Photograph: Courtesy of our resident eight-year-old photographer)