I have had the opportunity to travel across the “pond” several times. I have helped build small homes in Jamaica, preached in England, vacationed in Germany, and visited friends in Russia. With each trip, I have learned more about myself and about the people I have shared life within these places.

In the midst of my traveling, some of the most important moments have been shared over a cup of tea. Now, I say tea because I am a tea drinker, but also because often a break in the day came with a cup of tea and some kind of special treat. Honestly, I love this custom! It has been over a cup of tea I have learned to speak some Russian. A snack of bun and cheese in Jamaica allowed me to hear about the conditions in which some orphans lived. It was sharing an orange soda in Germany where I learned about Heidelberg Germany. In London, I learned about the Anglican church while drinking “milk” tea on my visit.

However, if there is one thing I can say about my time in each of the places I have traveled to it is this, while we are each unique, everyone will or has experienced moments of joy and sorrow, fear and courage, life, and death. What brings us together in these ways is what helps us to form some of the deep connections which change us and know that we are not alone in this life we share.

So today, I would have been on a plane traveling with others to share some time with friends in another part of the world. However, as we all know, travel to other parts of the world is not currently happening. I would have been sharing tea with those friends every day during the trip. I have learned in the sharing of life together it is okay to be sad about what was and embrace in a new way what is now. So in honor of my friends, I shared tea time with those who are part of my tribe where I am now. These friends allowed me to talk about what I was missing and helped me to celebrate how the gift of tea time can bring life in a hard season. We laughed and chatted. We talked about today and the future. But what was most important to me was I knew I was loved. Time spent with others over a cup of tea can have a big impact!

So whether your beverage is tea or coffee, hot chocolate or milk, wine or pop take the time to share life together!