It's In The (Tea) Bag by Phil

On our month-long launch into the new year, we've looked at our approach(focus), attitude(joy) and assurance(eternal security). Let's wrap up with the grease that keeps the wheels turning - adaptability. For that, let's look at the humble tea bag.

If you've been following me for a while, you already know my feelings toward this most divine of all drinks. Real tea should be brewed (it's in the Bible, just read HeBrews), instant tea is a cruel joke of the evil one, and herbal tea is just a cup of wet weeds. Hot or cold, dark and bold, I love my tea!

Here's an interesting tidbit about my beverage of choice you may not know. The tea bag which is so common today, was actually an accident. For most of history, people made tea by pouring boiling water over tea leaves and then using a strainer. Sometime around 1908, American tea importer Thomas Sullivan sent samples of tea to potential customers in small silken bags. He assumed his recipients would be smart enough to pour the leaves into a kettle. WRONG. They just dunked the leaves, bag and all, in hot water and voilà, the tea bag was born!

Now ol' Tommy had a dilemma. He could grumble and complain about how dense people are and write detailed instructions on how to empty the bag and make tea the "right" way. Instead, he chose to adapt and improve the design. The silk wasn't loosely woven enough for optimal infusion, so he tried gauze and settled on the fine paper we use today. Because of his adaptability, millions of people around the world are blessed with convenient, leaf-free mugs of freshly brewed tea. Thank you Mr. Sullivan, I salute you!

So what does a tea bag have to do with our plans for the new year? I'm glad you asked! No matter what plans we make for this year, we have no idea what God has planned. When the unexpected detour comes along, we can either grumble and complain because things aren't going the way we want, or we can go with God's flow, adapt to the new circumstances and continue allowing God to lead and work through us. (I've found drinking a cold glass of tea while obeying the Lord makes the experience much more enjoyable, but that's just me!)

So there you have it, a successful plan for the new year. Set your eyes on Jesus (approach/focus), run with perseverance toward the finish line (assurance/eternal security), even when there are divine detours (adaptability). And don't get so wrapped up you miss the fun and beauty along the way (attitude).

May your cup of blessing (and tea) be continually full this year!

Drink up!
Phil and Pam

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