Years ago, a dear friend sent me a tea bag and encouraged me to invite a few friends over to celebrate the spring solstice and the power of women, the small ways we nurture children and community. Then, in a February 2005, magazine interview, Oprah Winfrey asked Nobel Peace Prize winner and South African Bishop Desmond Tutu how the world could achieve real peace. He answered simply,
"I think women will have to start a revolution."
I felt honestly convicted by his response. Craving peace and understanding, did I honestly believe I could start a revolution? Not at first. But after prayer and contemplation,
I realized I could at least ask others to slow down and
reconnect, to discuss our joys and sorrows, our fears and hopes, over tea. Now I host tea parties once a month in my home. I encourage my guests to bring a friend. All we do is sip and chat, in the simple, old-fashioned way. Our hope is that this small group will become a multitude of prophets for peace to our neighborhoods and nations
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The Lord is my employer, my protector.
What else would I need?
He encourages me to rest by a running stream in a green and shady park.
He keeps filling my cup,
even when it's already full . . .
- Psalm 23 (translation by author)
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