Tea is for sisters...

For he satisfieth the longing soul, 
and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Psalm 107:9

My sister and a wonderful friend hosted a beautiful, scrumptious afternoon tea for all the ladies in our church. Tea is defined as a light meal with finger sandwiches and such foods, and the purpose is to tide us over until lunch or dinner.

When I was thinking about the meaning of the “proper English tea” I began to think of everyone who makes up our sisterhood.

I have a natural sister. I do things for her just because of who she is and just because she asks. She invites me to go shopping with her just so we will have time to talk. She can get me to make her a chocolate pie and watch her kids.

I will give her a gallon of milk because I know she is too tired to run to the dollar store, give her eggs because her 5 year old dropped and broke the whole dozen, sew on buttons or purposely cook extra at dinner so we can eat lunch together the next day. She takes me out to eat Asian Cuisine, because she knows it's my favorite food. She also makes those awkward phone calls/conducts conversations for me, because she knows that any type of confrontation makes me nervous.

My sister knows more about me than probably any other woman on the earth, and vice versa. She can tell when I'm excited, tired, overwhelmed, and the reason I'm feeling grumpy or in control. I know when she has a new project in mind, if she's stressed, got it all together, or when she is ready to ship her dog to the pound because it ate her greenhouse plants and daughter's new dress. I also know when she's exhausted and ready to send all her kids to bed without bedtime stories. I am the aunt who rescues them with stories, songs and tucks them in. Her children are my second set of kiddos.

We don't always get along. Shocker, I know; but we are very, very different. She is one flavor of tea and I am sure another. Most of the time we balance each other, but sometimes we are like sandpaper scuffing nerves. We have really different lives. There are days we talk several hours, and there are times we go a couple days and almost lose track of what's happening. Yes, life can change that quick. But she's my sister. It's an unexplained bond. We didn't have to create the love, it's between us because we are sisters.

Just like many of us have natural sisters, we have sisters in the Lord. We do things for each other just because. We uplift each other in prayer. We watch each other's children grow. We sense when one is fighting a battle, and when we find out someone is in pain, we all feel it.

We come from very diverse backgrounds. We all struggle with different problems. Our hearts have been broken by situations beyond our control. Our marriages are in different stages. Our children are different ages; some have one and some have more. There are ones of us who are laid back and easy going, while others are more intense and like a place for everything and everything in it's place.

We all have something different to offer.
Some of us are the sandwiches/savories, making sure the needs are met and no one goes hungry.
Some of us are the sweets. We love to do extras just because we know it makes others feel special.
Some of us are the plates, saucers and utensils. We love to serve and the satisfaction of seeing others be able to use what we offer is our blessing.
Some of us are tablecloths. We pray the covering of God for our sisters and their families.
Some of us are napkins. We are gifted in being able to smooth messes and help restore to like new.

Some of us are teapots. We can withstand a lot of heat and pour out more than we need to take in.

But we all are teacups. We desire, and even crave, the filling up of friendship, acceptance and love. We all have vastly different experiences and knowledge to bring to the the table. And we cannot know the sweetness of sisterly fellowship without coming together, sharing ourselves, sharing our struggles, weaknesses and strengths.

It is my desire to not only stay full, but have extra. I pray I will have enough to share with a sister who needs to have a tea...the nourishment to tide her over until the next meal is prepared.