6th August 2025

Every morning, I enjoy a cup (or three) of tea. I have a routine of putting on the kettle, heating the teapot while the water reaches a boil, putting in the loose tea and letting it steep while my homemade sourdough bread is in the toaster. Then I take my favourite mug and toast to my favourite chair and enjoy the peace and quiet of early morning. I savour the whole experience. But soon the tea and toast are gone and the peace and quiet transitions to the activities of the day. 

Unlike my tea and toast, one part of my routine sticks with me all day. When I read encouraging words like the ones found in one of my all-time favourite verses, the peace I feel in the early morning wraps around me all day. A TV character described having a cup of tea as a hug in a cup, but a verse like Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT) is a hug from the Holy Spirit that never ends: 

“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.“

It seems life keeps getting busier and more demanding but slowing down to savour a cup of tea (or whatever you enjoy) and taking in the encouraging words of love and the grace of Jesus can make all the difference. Get your hug in a cup and then savour a hug from the Holy Spirit and discover how much better your day can be.

First published on 16 July 2025, at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com a personal blog which is not sponsored by Grace Communion International.

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