Not everyone’s Cup of Tea

A friend reminded awhile back while stressing over a social need that I didn’t need to try to be anyone else but myself. Ridiculous- I am over 60 and still having to be reminded that it’s ok to be who I am. It’s our natural heart desire to be liked. We want to be lived and accepted, and then loved and embraced. For the most part, we gravitate to people who let us be ourselves and we move toward friendships in a natural way. Then there are those exceptions. I can count a few that still bother me. Why? Because I think that them liking me will make a difference in me. I found this saying several years ago and it popped up on my Facebook today. It’s a wonderful reminder.

In the past three years I have had to come to grips with those who held the cup of tea where the handle is turned away from me. When you serve tea, you purposefully turn the handle so the person taking the tea is set to lift her cup. When people spurn our hearts, they keep the handle toward themselves. It’s a huge hint but we don’t always take the hint. We try to turn the handle so we can grab the tea cup. If they wanted to be our friend, the handle would be facing us ready for us to grasp. It’s a hard thing when someone doesn’t like you. It’s even harder when they are a Christian brother or sister. I need to be reminded that even in the Bible we have Christian examples who didn’t always see eye to eye. It’s better to switch tables and pick up a tea cup with the handle toward you than make a scene trying to get someone to give you the respect of your cup.  I don’t understand but I accept. I pray for those who don’t want my friendship but I can’t let it become a boulder blocking my beautiful garden walkway. And as much as it is within me, let me live at peace. And sometimes that means walking away and know that I am loved by my people. And my people love me very much. Now more than ever,  I just wish I could hug them!!!!

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