A note from Judy Isom

“More tea, anyone?” Two raised their teacups expectantly. Silent guests just continued to observe. “I can’t remember the last time I attended a tea party,” the lady in red giggled. “You’d think we were eight-years-old again!”

A furry brown teddy bear—one of the silent guests—supported her arm, so she wouldn’t spill on her bed covers. “Who says we can’t celebrate tea time when we’re in our golden years!”
Two silent guests lended their therapeutic selves to the occasion, as they snuggled further into the arms of their bearers.
“We love hearing the stories of your life as a teacher...”

Fast forward a couple of years. “My mother was such a cheerful, intelligent person. It’s during my visits with her these past few weeks, I’ve realized why my father fell in love with her.” Her son offered a tribute to all those who had given her care. “Thank you,” he continued, “to all of you for wearing red, as I requested. It was her favorite color...”

Teddy bear tea parties, friends who care, time given in kindness.... Simple, yet God-annointed. Faith, hope, and love, sponsored by the Holy Spirit! We all can identify what true love is, and what it isn’t. Especially when we review 1 Corinthians 13 for some familiar words by the Apostle Paul:

Love is patient and kind.
Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.
It does not demand its own way.
It is not irritable, and keeps no record of being wronged.
It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Love will last forever!

It’s time to honor mothers, and other nurturers, for helping us live with courage and grace.

Judy Isom
Women's Group Leader & Volunteer | Hope City Church