I laughed my head off when I read the boxes. The packaging
was more than pretty and the box beautifully made. A perfect exterior. A delightful
and alluring presentation.
The variety of tea that beckoned me to sample was lovely.
The Black Tea Chai, spicy and warming, had kept its promise earlier today, as
outlined on the back of the cute triangular box. The Lemongrass, Ginger and
Citrus did refresh my palate for a mere moment this afternoon.
I was enjoying this thoughtful gift.
Then I looked at the Slim
Me tea. I admit I laughed at the title but took the bait.
Sure enough, the written word on the box indicated that if I
incorporated this invigorating infusion into my calorie controlled diet, it
would aid me in reaching my ‘mini me’ goals. Ha!
I just had to read the Detox
Me box. Another wild promise. It was going to cleanse me through and
through for a better me.
I tried them both later in the day. Nothing. I didn’t have a
cookie with my tea but still no weight loss. What? But it said if I cut back on
calories the magic tea would work. And
as far as the Detox Me, flavour of
the evening, no change. But they promised one little teabag would make a
difference. And, poof. Nothing. What’s with that?
As I contemplated the Revive
Me or Oolong next, it occurred to
me how fed up I get with false promises in the world (not that I thought for
one moment my lovely tea would do anything in the big picture of my life.) The
world is full of charm and deceit. Not a surprise. A nice analogy at best.
Sipping away on the Oolong, I felt no sun pampering or sauna-like
experience. The Revive Me was nice to the palate but it sure didn’t put a
spring back into my step.
I kept sitting and sipping and thinking. I thought about the
new year and resolutions and my own un-kept promises in the past. I thought about the changes in my life and the
goals I need to make for 2016.
Specific goals, it has been said, are the best. Instead of
saying I am going to write more, say, I will write at least 500 words a day and
journal every other night.
Instead of saying I am going to read the Bible more, I will say, I
will read a chapter a night starting from Genesis.
Instead of saying I am going to be kinder, I will say, I will bite
my tongue when I want to lash out trying to prove my brilliance.
Instead of saying I will love deeper, I will say I love you more often and make sure
my words match my actions.
Instead of saying I will help newbie writers more, I will say, I
will get in touch with my new writer friends and offer some helpful tips, taking
time to really listen without monopolizing the conversation.
I am hoping, planning, praying that my actions will speak
louder than words on a teabox. But I know the only way that will happen is if I
lean on the Lord for strength and direction.
I’m feeling deep in my soul that
this just might be the year that it becomes less about me and more about Him.
Look at that. I already feel a spring in my step! And no
tea. I’m thinking I might drink in a little more of that Sweet Revival. This infusion seems to be working.
****
And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain
on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its
appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait
for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. Habakkuk 2:2-3
