tea kettles.

"Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky."

-Psalm 85:11

This morning was delightful.

My baby girl is in a happy mood. Smiles & squeals. Mama's joys.

I can hear the neighbor's tea kettle, and the noise of the building being torn down at the end of our alley. My husband is finished with school in four days. Four days away from a BA. I cannot believe this is the week. All the hard work is finally coming to a close. The countless hours spent in the lab and in the studio, they will be no more. The screen prints will be finished and the assignments all completed. He will be graded and critiqued. My husband is the most amazing man. This past year he has developed into a passionate God fearing lover. He wants to share Jesus with everyone he meets, and then he does. He speaks truth into my life constantly. He is the man that I love, and every day brings me to discover a new treasure in him. I love my darling husband.

And my daughter. Her eyes are like small oceans, full of life and excitement. She is like an old friend. I feel as if I've always known her. To be her mother is one of my greatest joys. 

The tea kettle reminds me of patience. I love tea, but sometimes I do not like the patience it requires. You must fill the pot with fresh water, wait for it to boil, prepare your tea, and then wait for the liquid and dried goodness to steep. All for one cup of pleasure. Some have succumb to the 'instant' tea. Just pour over the small pouch with scalding water. I even admit to this sometimes. Others just plainly throw the bag in some cold water and then stick it in the microwave. This, I believe, is a major 'tea' no-no. Which brings me to patience. Sometimes, I am not patient. I do not take my time, and then I end up with slopped up results. This never concludes with the feeling of achievement. The same with tea. If I am simply pouring hot water over this little pouch of who knows what that was made in some factory, then what do I expect? But if I take my time to fill a small pouch or tea spoon with some dried herb or chinese black then I get the nostalgia and the practice of patience. 

Tonight I was rocking my baby in her little swing and reading the Psalms. I had been inspired by Diane Comer to read more of the Word. She writes for He Speaks in the Silence. Her blog is like honey. When I read pieces from it, I am inspired to be a better wife, a better mother, a better lover of God…the Holy Spirit speaks so vibrantly through this precious woman of God. As I sat reading the words that David wrote, my mind began to wander. Not to bad things or even meaningless things, but they were distracting. Here I was reading about the steadfast love of the Lord and my mind was incessantly thinking about Chia seeds! For crying out loud, it is not a sin to think of chia seeds, but when I'm reading the Word of God?! Come on! Then it dawned on me, I've lost my patience when it comes to spending time with the Lord. I sit down with completely beautiful motives to talk with Him, and sit with Him, but when I don't immediately hear from Him I distract myself with something that I can quickly move to the forefront of my mind. I repent of this lack of patience. No more will I try to just pour hot water over my time with God. It isn't something that can be instantly steeped. Much patience is required in our relationship with the Most High. 

Our Father is waiting for us to enjoy time spent with Him. Love and trust both develop with time. And during the time it takes before the tea kettle whistles, nestle into the side of your Lord and wait.

What are some things that you have noticed in your life that lack patience and how are you overcoming them? Leave a comment. We will all be encouraged by your words. You are not the only one in a battle. We all are, and we need to support one another. 

Love.

ria.