Hi folks, I hope you are well, we are meeting at 7.20 for our advent reflection at the underpass at Cullercoats, it will be a bit more interactive this week, and then we will be going on to the club for our regular gathering. This weeks reflection has been written by Sue and our theme this week is ‘Drinking Tea’.
When I first met my husband we both made tea very differently and it took some getting used to. He lets the tea bag sit in the hot water for 5mins, no more and no less, timer on; remove tea bag, add milk. He is in construction so he literally likes ‘builder’s tea’ – strong. Me on the other hand; hot water in, a good old stir, out with the tea bag and add the milk – wet and warm as they say. And yet the tea is both pleasant and enjoyable either way.
What is it about tea then that is so soothing and calming? That first sip in the morning that makes my heart sigh or having woke during the night having an anxiety attack, the process of making a cup of tea and drinking it starts to calm me both physical and mentally. Tea is my drink of choice when I am intentionally seeking calm, space, reflection and time out.
For me there is a connection between the sense of pleasure and enjoyment I get from drinking tea that is also found in lots of moments in life whether next to a lake, river, by the sea or the warmth of the sun or smelling freshly baked bread. Each of these lead me to exhale and my thoughts turn towards thankfulness and gratitude, even in the midst of the daily routine, these are the moments that can help us connect with God.
In Liturgy of the ordinary, the author says that seeking these things is good, but warns us that over indulgence can lead to a dulling down of our senses and therefore a growing need to consume more and more. The opposite can happen too, that we are so focused on our daily tasks, that we miss these moments of grace. She says there needs to be balance. She gives the example of becoming a mother for the first time and feeling ‘like her life and body were the property of a tiny, adorable little dictator’ – she became completely exhausted.
During Lent she wanted to give something up but felt she had given everything up in the months prior. She sought advice from her mentor who advised her that she had given up so much already and instead she was encouraged to ‘take up the practice of pleasure: to intentionally embrace enjoyment as a discipline’; to seek oppertunities to arrange childcare, and sort out the daily tasks of life and work better. As she carved out this space she found a deep sense of healing that came from simply enjoying something for the sake of enjoying it not necessarily seeking anything else.
Life can sometime be a stealer of joy, we have all experienced that. John 10:10 speaks of the thief coming to steal and destroy but Jesus came to give life and in abundance. I know for me the big thing that steals my joy and pleasure is anxiety and fear, secondly being too busy and allowing other things to distract me. The author cites ‘The Screwtape Letters’ where the senior demon reprimands his underling for allowing his patient to experience the smallest of pleasures. The underling sees within the experiences that humans can be soft, innocent, full of humility and they can forget ones self.
I do find in the moments that I am mindfully present there is a forgetfulness of what is happening around me and I find a sense of peace and joy, an uplifting of my spirit and even more so when I don’t rush away from the moment. It makes me wonder how intentional we are about making the effort at carving out time to just be, to create a place of sanctuary for ourselves wherever we are.
I believe we also need to think about the inner sanctuary within ourselves, where connection with God happens through His spirit within us. I know for myself that lockdown enabled me to do this naturally as restrictions advanced, I was made to see that there is pleasure and joy even in the most difficult of times, connections where made, rest given, and my home became a sanctuary.
During my time at Durham University, the Cathedral become my sanctuary. It was a place of safety and comfort. In the midst of my studies and other work the Cathedral gave space to breathe, to exhale, to hide and gather myself together, regain strength before returning to the tasks at hand. The Cathedral has a history of being a sanctuary for many, it is claimed that criminals had to grab the big circular handle of the sanctuary knocker before they were caught to claim sanctuary within the Cathedral walls.
Holidays can be a sanctuary for many of us, but what about the everyday moments? Where do we find our sanctuary? Where are the moments of pleasure and joy?
I want to finish with a quote from C. S. Lewis ‘Letters to Malcolm’ about the subject of pleasure:
“His advice: begin where you are at. He once thought he had to start by summoning up what we believe about the goodness and greatness of God, by thinking about creation and redemption and all the blessings of this life. Instead begin with the pleasures at hand – for him a walk by a babbling brook, for the author the wonder of hot water and dried leaves”
For me, this time of year brings me lots of pleasure and joy particularly as we move towards Christmas!!
Let each experience of pleasure and joy regardless of how big or small, raise a quiet thank you to God.
Questions:
- How do you drink your tea? And what is your favourite thing to eat with a cup of tea? Click on the link for the choice!
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- Are you a dunker? What it the best biscuit to dunk into a cup of tea?
- How might we ensure that there is a good balance of pleasure seeking within the daily routine?
- Where are your sanctuary moments found? Do you invite God into this time/area/experience?
- What could be stealing your experience of enjoyment and pleasure? And how could you change this?
- How do you express thankfulness for the moments of pleasure you experience?
Rob Wylie is the founder of BeachcomberFX and guides its leadership team. He has worked in the North East for over 20 years and has vast experience from various roles he has held. He has a passion for Fresh Expressions of Church and Pioneer Ministry as well as beer, beaches and Miniature Schnauzers.