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Au Jus Tea?

I know!  Funny title, but I also have a "funny" story.  I was recently with my cousin for our annual get together.  We always eat at the same places, order the same meals, and drink the same beverages when we're together.  This makes for tradition, but it's also practical.  We do not need to expend one single solitary brain cell on fueling our bodies each day.  Our time together is spent on being together and enjoying the fellowship.

So, we go to Woodmont Grill for supper the first night and there's been a change.  Not in the menu but in how they serve their hot tea.  I always have hot tea with my meals.  Anyway, they do not bring it to me in the usual little silver teapot of hot water with the lemon and a tea bag on the side (yes, it's Earl Grey).  That was odd, but I put my tea bag in the cup of hot water and covered it with my hand for steeping.

After a while, one of the many waiters came by and topped it from a large silver teapot.  Okay, I was liking that change!  Supper came and then a waitress brought the usual small teapot to the table.  There was no tea bag, but it was hot.  So...

I assumed the tea inside came from the large teapot I'd been served from earlier.  I picked it up and proceeded to top up my cup, but quickly stopped.  This "tea" was too dark and opaque.  It was the au jus for our prime rib.  In a teapot!  That was a first.  Au Jus in a teapot!

I waited for someone from the wait staff to pass by and shared my dilemma.  She apologized!  She also shared it was not the first time it had happened since they made the switch.  She took my au jus flavored Earl Grey tea cup away and brought me a fresh cup.

Janet and I got a good laugh over the incident.  In fact, she's still teasing me about it.  I'm glad she's able to laugh with me over my mistakes and we were able to enjoy the rest of our time together!

I've chuckled over the incident many times, but began to realize I was given an opportunity to experience something I already knew.  My mind underwent a transformation!  My position was tweaked a little and I saw something I already knew with a new understanding.

God told Samuel that man looks at the outside of a man, but He (God) looks at their heart.  That can be terribly scary or terribly wonderful according to what is in our heart.  What does my ABBA Father see in my heart?  He sees the intention of my words.  He knows whether I am seeking His perspective.  He knows the reasons behind my choices.  He knows me inside and out!!!

On the flip side, I need to remember God knows the intentions of the heart of others, and I don't.  I cannot assume I know what's inside someone's heart by what my eyes see.  I don't need to spend time speculating on why they say or do the things they do.  I need to seek God's perspective, but I also need to spend enough time with them to get to know their hearts; preventing misunderstanding and hurt.  Just like my assumption about the teapot, assuming I know what's inside another can lead to embarrassment and a very unsavory situation!

I'm going to have a cup of tea.  Want to join me?  I promise there's only tea in my teapot!!!

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