Poetry Corner

“Success” Measured by the Cups of Tea We Share

Success in our Western society is measured. . .
  in so many different kinds of ways. . .
    but I’d never heard this one till recently. . .
      about measuring our success at the end of each day. . .
        by the number of cups of tea that we’ve shared . . .
          that day with other fellow-pilgrims on life’s journey.

That is really a different way of viewing success. . .
   but something within me resonates. . .
     because it says to me that people are God’s priority. . .
       that people are more important than what we “do”. . .
         people are “eternally-destined human being”. . .
           while the usual things by which we measure success. .
             are transient and temporal things that pass away.

O God, at the beginning of each new day. . .
   alert me to be open to each opportunity. . .
     that comes my way. . . to share a cup of tea. . .
       with another fellow-traveler on the journey of life.

But in the midst of being deeply and sensitively alert. . .
   to the open doors. . . and opportunities. . .
     to share a cup of tea with other pilgrims on life’s road. . .
       don’t let me get so busy “sharing tea” with others. . .
         that I don’t have time in my hectic schedule. . .
           to share a cup of tea with You, O Lord.

There’s something about a cup of tea with You. . .
   that flavors all the other cups of tea I share. . .
     so help me each day to share at least one cup of tea. . .
       with You. . . lest I grieve Your heart and hear You say. . .
         at the end of the day that had no time for You. . .
           “My Precious Child. . . whom I love so dearly. . .
              Oh! How I missed sharing tea with you today!”

Susie Joy Mast, GL 1