February 10, 2025
Boiling water splashed against the bottom of the porcelain teapot, and instantly the hot water filled the cherry blossom tea bag. No longer dry and dormant, the tea bag, awakened by the steaming water, released its delicate fragrance as raspberry-colored swirls danced in the water. A gentle clink assured me that the square teapot lid rested in place, and I let the raspberry dancers finish swirling for a few more minutes in their porcelain home.
After a moment in time, with one finger carefully poised on the teapot lid, I poured the hot tea over a splash of milk and a drizzle of honey. A gentle stir blended the trio of flavors, and now my piping cup of tea was ready for a sip. A cautious breath and then a tiny sip filled my mouth with the essence of spring—the gentle sweetness of cherry blossoms and the earthy greens of the grasses.
The teapot, the symbolic home of my heart, holds a satchel of truth and grace—the Word of God. As the cherry blossom tea bag abides in the teapot, the Word of God—full of truth, beauty, and fragrance—abides in my heart. Oh, not that I have every passage of scripture memorized, but my faithful Bible waits patiently, ever ready to be read and meditated upon, and God’s Word is ever within my sphere of life—my teapot. The Teabag of Truth is ever ready to warm my heart with its fragrance and life-giving nourishment, supplying not only my heart with refreshment but any others who may come close enough for me to spill the sweetness of His goodness into their hearts.
As I sit and read and meditate upon the Word of God, God’s love radiates throughout my heart and mind, and like a teapot warmed through by the heat of the boiling water, my soul is warmed through with the love of God. The fragrance of His goodness and the sweetness of His kindness permeates my heart as “the love of God is shed abroad in [my heart] by the Holy Ghost which is given unto [me]” (Romans 5:5).
There are times in life, usually not purposeful, that I neglect the sweet word of God. Like a lonely teapot with a forgotten tea bag in its porcelain belly, I lack the warmth of God’s presence and the sweetness of His comforting words. Awakened out of my spiritual stupor, I grab my Bible and read God’s comforting words, and not long after, the delicious fragrance of His goodness steeps into my soul. I always know in my head of God’s goodness, but I must gaze at His goodness and let it seep into my soul in order to know of His goodness in my heart.
In these times of gazing at God’s goodness and soaking up His love, He fills my heart and satisfies my soul. He gives me the courage to be kind to those to whom I do not feel kind. He gives me love for my children when I do not feel love in my heart towards them. He gives me strength in my heart and body when I am soul-weary and wondering how to take the next step of life.
God alone fills the cup of my heart. God alone strengthens my soul. God is my portion and the Beauty of my life.
Dear God,
Please fill the cup of my heart. I lift it up to you. May the fragrance of Your beauty fill my heart and spill over into love for others throughout my days and weeks. I have nothing to give to others apart from You, but as You fill me with Your sweetness, I am divinely able to pour into others. Fill my cup, that I may pour myself into others.
Amen.
Scriptures I read when I feel empty
Psalm 40
Psalm 139
Psalm 145
John 15
Philippians 4
Books that nurture me like words of wisdom from a godly friend
What Do I Know About My God? by Mardi Collier
Seeking God: Finding Our All in Him by Bettina Shue
Pocketful of Pinecones by Karen Andreola
Lessons at Blackberry Inn by Karen Andreola
Mother Culture by Karen Andreola
Simplified Organization by Mystie Winckler
The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson
Time Began in a Garden by Emilie Barnes
Happy Valentine's Day!
Love,
Ashley
Personal Disclosure
As the author of Ashley Qurollo Blog, all opinions are my own. Any possible applications are universal in nature, not directed at any one individual or people group. My sincere desire is to help others by sharing what I am learning. Nothing stated on this blog is ever intended to hurt others. Ashley Qurollo, owner of Ashley Qurollo Blog and Website, is not held liable in any way for any application of the ideas and thoughts stated here.
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Thank you for this reminder. 💗
This is so comforting and rich. Thanks a lot!