A Box Of Tea

If packages come in the mail, they are delivered to my laundry room door.
They are usually left next to the large milk can.
I always appreciate our mail carrier going the extra mile.
I can easily see the mail when I look out window.

I put my coat on to go out and get the mail.
I didn’t have to go far, since three packages were on my doorstep.
Our mail was wrapped in a rubber band and placed on top of one of the boxes.
There is something wonderful about getting packages, even if it is something I am expecting.

This day, there were two packages of books.
No surprise there!
The third package was from Ireland.
It was my Irish tea.

It may seem extravagant to order tea from Ireland.
It really is not that expensive.
Even the shipping rates are reasonable.
I order twice a year and get six boxes at one time.

Seeing the box on my doorstep always makes me smile.
The box has little teapots all over it.
I can even see it as I drive down my driveway.
I know that when I open it, I will smell the wonderful tea aroma.

However, the last time I ordered it, the tea came in a plain brown box.
The name of the tea was on the outside.
Gone were the little teapots adorning the box.
My smile was only half as wide.

I looked at the plain brown box that arrived this time.
It was damaged.
It was crushed.
I wondered about the condition of the actual tea boxes inside.

I used my husband’s box opener that we keep in the drawer.
I cut through the tape that was barely holding the box together.
Inside, the six boxes of tea bags were wrapped in plastic.
Through the plastic I could see loose tea.

I got my phone and took a picture of the box.
I took a picture of the outside of the box.
I took a picture of the loose tea inside the plastic wrapping.
I sent the company an email, including the pictures as well.

I am hoping for a replacement order, all the way from Ireland.
I told them how I have been ordering from them for years.
This has never happened before.
I told them how I missed the box with the little teapots all over it.

I stared at the crushed box after the email was sent.
Somewhere in its travels across the Atlantic, the box was damaged.
Somewhere it was stepped on, or dropped, or placed on the bottom of a pile.
Something happened along the way.

How often do we feel like that box?
Crushed.
Beaten down.
Weary.

How often do we feel damaged?
Unseen.
Unheard.
Misunderstood.

Life is hard, but God is good.
I heard Alistair Begg say those words just when I needed it most.
Life can sometimes make us feel like the crushed box I received.
We have to remind ourselves that the crushing is not permanent.

We have to remind ourselves that God is in the business of restoration.
Alleluia!
Nothing is beyond His grasp.
Nothing is too damaged when we come to Him in faith.

Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.
He was in anguish because He knew what was in store for Him.
Jesus experienced an extremely rare condition in which He actually sweat blood.
Hematidrosis.

The Garden, named Gethsemane, was a place of crushing.
Gethsemane, is a Hebrew word which literally means, oil press.
In this grove of olive trees, an oil press crushed the olives for their oil.
In this grove of olive trees, Jesus was crushed, laying down His will for His Father’s will.

In this world, we will have trouble.
But take heart, Jesus, said, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
The real battle was won in the place of crushing.
Jesus was crushed in our place.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  (2 Corinthians 4:8)

I pondered all of this because of a crushed tea box from Ireland.
Truth is found in the most interesting places.
God makes Himself known.
Look for Him and listen to what He is saying all around you.

Come to the One who was crushed for you.
Come to the One who has overcome the world.
Come to the One who sweat blood in His anguish.
Come to Jesus in faith.

 

3 responses to “A Box Of Tea”

1. Gina,
   I shared this at our elders meeting, thanks you for eyes and ears to see and hear God’s truths, in the odinary. He is so amazing.

   Reply

2. Your words encourage, convict and help, dear Gina. Thank you! God’s Spirit enables us, all who believe.
   Indeed, “Life is hard. God is good.” AB

   Reply

   • Susie,
     I am so glad you were blessed by these words.
     What a comfort to know that the crushing is not permanent.
     Gina

     Reply