The Two-Cup Code

In a recent relief trip to the tsunami zone, the Lord had me learn an important lesson, a sort of “secret code” to connecting with the local culture of northeast Japan. The leader of a temporary housing camp was taking me around to meet various people in the “zone,” and one of the ladies, the leader’s aunt, invited me to take a break from my busy schedule and sit at her kotatsu (low table in a tatami room) while she poured me a cup of hot green tea. She shared with me accounts of what happened the day of the tsunami, how life has been for her family, and a number of other aspects of life in that area, and then offered me a refill on my tea. I expressed my appreciation for the delicious green tea but told her one cup was plenty, and that I had a very full schedule that day. Wrong answer. In typical non-confrontational Japanese style, she had her niece, the camp leader tell me that you must always drink at least two cups of green tea when you sit down to talk with someone from Tohoku. Drinking only one cup communicates, “I’m too busy, and getting the things done on my “To Do” list is more important than spending time with you. Drinking two or more cups communicates, “I want to get to know you better.” Ah yes, very thankful for the cultural lesson.
The Lord used this lesson to tell me that He is always ready to have “two cups” or more with me. Can we even begin to fathom the immensity of the fact that the God of the universe, Who takes care of the needs of over 6 billion people simultaneously, is ready and waiting to take a break and have “two cups” of tea with us; that whatever concerns we have on our hearts are more important to Him than His “To Do” list?! …and how long must that be?? He says, “Call to Me, and I will answer you. I will tell you great and mighty things that you do not know.” (Jer. 33:3). May you find “two-cup” time to spend with your Father and hear of great and mighty things, things you did not know. May you also find “two-cup” time to spend with special people, that you might become kindred spirits.