How a Tea Party Can Be Fulfilling Our Calling as Believers
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- Updated Jul 13, 2022
She walks through the door with a smile on her face and says, "I got a haircut!" as she makes her way across the room. She climbs onto the big red couch, pulls her shoes and socks off her little feet, slides down from the couch, and runs to the kitchen. "Let's have a tea party!" she says as she digs through the big basket of toys waiting for her in the hallway. One by one, we pull out the little plastic tea set: yellow, pink, and purple cups and saucers, a pink teapot, and a sugar bowl. She slowly climbs up onto one of the kitchen chairs, and we carefully set up the tea set in front of her. "Can you fill this with water?!" she asks, handing the teapot to me.
The tea party begins as she pours water from the plastic teapot and drinks from little tea cups.
She is only 2, but when she comes to visit, she fills my home with life! I love her questions, her energy, and her giggles. I love how the dedication of her mother and father is already evident in her life, even at age 2, in the way she loves her brother, the way she interacts with her mother, the fact that she is happy with simple things, and is so very grateful for EVERYTHING.
Her mother and I sit and talk in between attending to a 2-year-old and a 1-year-old. Cars and trucks are scattered all over the kitchen floor for an adorable little brother. We quickly move from tea parties to coloring books, little games, and plastic Easter eggs filled with fruit snacks.
Then it's time for lunch.
We have chicken sandwiches cut into little pieces, sweet potato fries, sliced apples served on a purple Princess Sophia plate, and an orange sippy cup filled with milk. Next, we roast marshmallows over candles for dessert. Then it is time for the 2-year-old and her baby brother to go home for their afternoon naps.
I walk them to their car, say goodbye, and wave as they drive away.
I am finding that fellowship happens in so many unique ways. I have been challenged to write about the people God uses in my life so that others can learn from the good examples that are all around me, and I can be reminded of how God so generously provides for me.
Spending my morning with the 2-year-old, her baby brother, and her sweet mother blessed me in so many ways. When the 2-year-old enters the room, life and energy enter with her! I love getting to know this little person and having the privilege of being a part of her life. I am encouraged and challenged when I see how her mother is committed to her God-given role as a mom of two littles. I see how she has selflessly made the health of her baby boy her top priority, having to accommodate his food allergies—eliminating food, enduring sleepless nights, having countless doctor's appointments, and constant fatigue.
Perseverance. Strength found in weakness. Clinging to Jesus. Her days are busy with babies, yet she thought to check in on me, to see how I am doing, to tell me she missed me, and ask, "Would you like to get together?"
As followers of Jesus, we are all a part of the body of Christ. The Church. And no matter what season of life we are in, our purpose is to know God, to make Him known, and to show the world that we are His by showing His love—bearing burdens and blessing others.
When a young mom visits an older mom, she might think she is the only one being blessed, but that couldn't be further from the truth. When a young mom takes the time to load up her car with her little ones, diaper bags, bags of snacks, and toys and spends the morning in my home, she blesses me more than she will ever know because her actions are letting me know that I'm needed. She is allowing me to build relationships with her children. She is telling me that she trusts me. When she shares with me what God is teaching her, she is reminding me of truths that I need to hear and apply in my season of life. She brings life and truth into my home. She is reminding me that we both have been given the gift of children, even though mine are grown, and hers are young. She is helping me remember the good and the hard of her season so that I can effectively serve other young moms I come in contact with. Her perseverance and commitment encourage me to persevere as well.
My friends: a young mom, a two 1/2-year-old, and a 1-year-old encouraged me ("Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11), edified me ("Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification" Romans 15:2), showed love to me ("A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34 ), cared about me ("Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. "Philippians 2:4), and are devoted to building a relationship with (Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10) a middle-aged woman.
And this middle-aged woman is so very grateful!
There are so many ways that we can live out our calling as members of the body of Christ. Even when we reach out for help or need encouragement, we are often blessing those who have the opportunity to meet that need. How have you been living out your calling?
Related Content:
There Are Actually 3 Callings for Christians (Not One)
Biblical Community: Our Daily Calling
3 Ways Elder and Younger People Should Honor One Another
