Saturday, April 30, 2016

How is Marriage like a Cup of Tea?



To my son Brendan and daughter-in-love Lindsay, on their wedding day

The unique leaves, spices and blossoms combined in our favorite tea create an experience far greater than the sum of its ingredients. When God brings together a husband and wife, He unites their special blend of gifts, talents, and personality traits to create one flesh from two individuals – a single being with far greater potential than each has separately (Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:8).

The one required ingredient for tea is water. No marriage can thrive without the “rivers of living water” (John 7:38) flowing from Jesus Christ as the Head of the couple, portraying the self-sacrificing love husbands should have for their wives (Ephesians 5:25). That Living Water forever quenches their thirst and gives them everlasting life, so that not even death can separate them (John 4: 14).

Tea refreshes, revives, comforts, warms and relaxes us all at the same time, just as husband and wife do for one another. This is possible only through the fire of the Holy Spirit, or Comforter (John 14:16), Who lovingly nurtures all who have trusted in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus as the only Way to Heaven (1 Corinthians. 15:1-4; John 14:6).

A hearty cup of hot tea can give us our second wind when our spirits sag, just as husband and wife rejuvenate one another. God Himself has promised to revive our spirit and our heart (Psalm 85:6; 138:7) when we turn to Him asking forgiveness (Psalm 51:10), with the humility (Isaiah 57:15) of knowing that without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). But with Him, all things are possible! (Matthew 19:26).

God gives the couple strength (Isaiah 40:31), patience (James 1:2-8), peace (Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:6-7; 2 Corinthians 13:11) and joy (Nehemiah 8:10; Psalm 27:6; 32:11; 35:9) when they seek Him daily (Psalm 61:8; 68:19), and not just in times of trouble. Those of us who enjoy tea normally do so daily, and so it should be with seeking God’s comfort.

Tea needs just the right amount of heat and steeping to brew to perfection. So husbands and wives shouldn’t be surprised when God allows them to get into hot water! We don’t always understand why God allows trouble into our life, but we can trust Him to work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

Tough times strengthen our faith in Him, our dependence on Him and our closeness to one another (James 1). Suffering makes husband and wife resemble Christ more closely (Philippians 3:10), and gives them compassion, wisdom and experience to help one another and others going through similar trials (Galatians 6:2; James 3:17).

Offering another person a cup of tea (or even water; Mark 9:41) is a loving gesture of kindness and hospitality, evoking images of a grandmother inviting her grandchild to snuggle under a warm blanket in her rocking chair while sipping tea, or a family allowing a stranger to come in out of the storm and warm himself by the fire as a cup of hot tea takes the chill off his bones.

God comforts us in our sorrow and trials by showing us His tender mercies (Lamentations 3:22), so that we can comfort others who are suffering (2 Corinthians.1:3). Brendan and Lindsay are compassionate, loving people – may they continue to treat one another with the same tenderness, understanding and generosity they show to others. May their love always exemplify kindness, patience, self-sacrifice, joy, truth and hope (1 Corinthians 13).

Once the tea has brewed, the process is irreversible. Unique blessings from husband and wife mingle together forever in this mystery that portrays the relationship between Christ and His bride, the church (Ephesians 5:32). So what God has put together, let no man put asunder! (Matthew 19:4-6)

Praying for Brendan and Lindsay daily to grow closer to one another and to Him, fulfilling the amazing plan He has for their lives! (Jeremiah 29:11) And praying for all married couples, for renewed joy in and commitment to one another and to Him! 

© 2016 Laurie Collett
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8 comments:

Frank E. Blasi said...

Dear Laurie,
First of all, let me congratulate your son Brendan on his wedding day, and I wish them a long and happy, God-blessed marriage.
You are absolutely right when you say that trials and tribulations strengthen faith and marriage alike. We have our own experiences to go by. After the loss of our young daughters to adoption, followed by my wife's deterioration of her health towards confinement to a wheelchair whenever out of doors, rather than running from God, we ran towards him. Because at the end of the day, he is our only hope, and through him alone, our marriage has solidified to that of being healthily robust. We have also found out by experience, as well as from the Bible, that acknowledging his blessings and giving thanks to him for them adds extra benefit to our well-being.
As for the English "cuppa" - you can say that our version of tea is a trinity: Water, tea, and milk! The same for our coffee.
An excellent blog. God bless both you and your son.

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Frank,
Thank you so much for your good wishes, blessings and congratulations! It truly was a blessed celebration!
And thank you for sharing your insights and experiences on how trials strengthened your marriage. Thankfulness strengthens our faith and fellowship with God individually and as a couple.
God bless you and Alex,
Laurie

Donald Fishgrab said...

Fabulous illustration of the relationships in a marriage, and congratulations on the new daughter in law.

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Donald, for your very kind words of encouragement and for your good wishes!
God bless,
Laurie

Controversial Christian said...

Tea?! No milk, sugar and hot water????

Laurie Collett said...

Every cup of tea, just like every marriage, is a unique blend!

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