The Teapot of Life

A friend and I ordered tea and cake.

The tea arrived in a rather splendid pot:

Splendid Teapot

I picked it up to pour – except I didn’t.

I couldn’t lift the pot!

It was too heavy for me.

So my friend poured the tea.

Sometimes, life can feel heavy, can’t it?

We struggle.

We try, but we can’t do it.

And someone else steps in and ‘pours the tea’ for us –

Friends, family, professionals.

Who will ‘pour tea’ for you this week?

And who will you ‘pour tea’ for?

“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”

― Mother Teresa

And let’s remember that the teapot-of-life is never too heavy for God.

He knows what we need (Matthew 6:8).

He knows what sort of tea we are drinking at the moment.

And He is here to help.

Don’t panic. I’m with you.

There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.

I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.

I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

Isaiah 41:10 (The Message)

Heavenly Father,

Please help me remember that I don’t need to do things on my own.

I don’t need to try in my own strength.

Because You are always here,

Waiting to help.

Wanting to help.

Thank You that, when I am weak, You are strong.

Amen

Higher than the heavens,

You come down.

Down to this world.

Down to where we are.

Down to where I am.

And where I am is a long way down.

The ground beneath m feet crumbles

and I slip further

and further.

Yet you’re there.

Always.

However low I go,

you’re there.

‘I can’t do it anymore,’

I whisper.

Thank you,

you say.

My pain and tear-filled eyes ask questions.

‘Thank you?’

Thank you for allowing me to perfect my strength in you.

‘But I said I can’t do it anymore.

I can’t cope.

I’m not strong.’

My child, you are never stronger than when you turn to me and say, ‘I can’t’.

Copyright © 2019 Emily Owen

[God says to me] ‘My grace is sufficient for you,

For my power is made perfect in weakness.’

2 Corinthians 12:9