A Cup of Tea

Three years ago, 

I was walking along the road

And You invited me in.

June heat and soft sunlight,

You gave me new sight

As You poured me a cup of tea. 

Like a photograph in black white

Bursting into vibrant color

I could finally savor the wondrous joy

of the green, green trees.

I was alive, and I could see. 

You gave me so much more than a cup of tea. 

You led me to the mirror, 

the oak panels creaking

under the weight of my Shame.

I knew what I would see there. 

Scarred hands and a scarred heart, 

the dirty clothes of a beggar.

A girl broken with nothing to offer, 

not even myself. 

Who would want me? 

I covered it all with a mask of perfection

But when I  looked in the mirror and saw my reflection,

I always saw brokenness. 

And it was ugly. 

 But You held my hand as I looked in the mirror,

And there in my reflectiion...

A crown of impossible, glittering jewels

adorned my head.

A train of white flowers

was cascading down my hair.

June heat and soft sunlight,

tears fell from my eyes

As I realized that I was beautiful.

That I was Valuable. 

You saw me when I couldn't see myself.

Over steaming mugs of Earl Grey tea,

You sat with me on the porch

and told me--

of the adventures that were ahead,

and the gifts that I could offer others:

Truth, Goodness, Patience, Beauty, and True Love.

And most of all, to offer myself,

To walk in love and give my help

To those who have yet to see,

without any shame.  

By the time we had gotten to scones,

It was time for me to go back where I had come,

But You said You would always be with me. 

And so I began to learn 

How to love and how to fight

How to savor the green and drink lots of tea, 

But mostly, how to SEE.