Sunday Afternoon Tea

While I'm recovering from eye surgery, I'm re-posting old favorites.  This Sunday Afternoon Tea originally appeared in 2007 when I was still able to work at the bookstore part-time.  It seems ages ago!

We're pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace

Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness
Passed on through godly lives

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we've left behind
May the clues that they discover
And the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them
To the road we each must find

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

I was sitting at a table this past week, sipping coffee and reading while waiting for the bookstore to open. I had been called in to sub for a cashier who needed to attend a funeral. Once again Christopher had to drop me off quite early to make his first class on time. I don't mind (once I'm awake that is). I enjoy the time alone with good coffee and a great book.

This time, I became distracted by the man sitting across from me for I realized he was a brother in Christ. He was quite intent in reading his Bible, as if he was soaking up every word. I wondered if he was a professor but the more I'd catch a glance, I realized from the way he was dressed he must be a University coach (later when he picked up his Bible, the front cover was embroidered with "The Coach's Bible"). :)

Within ten or fifteen minutes, a student came to the table and sat across from him. Every once in awhile, I'd look up from my book to find the coach teaching from the Word in between times of conversation and prayer. After about thirty minutes, the young man left and his chair was soon occupied, this time by a slightly older man... perhaps a young coach. Once again, the Word was read while they conversed and later spent time in prayer.

I didn't want it to be obvious I was watching but the scene before me warmed my heart and brought to mind the lyrics above. How wonderful for a leader of men in the athletic realm to also lead men into that which will count for Eternity. He truly is a coach! I'm sure he has many ways to spend his time each day but at least for this morning, his priority was to feed himself from God's Word before mentoring those younger than himself.

I remember when I'd listen to Steve Green sing these lyrics over and over. Rarely has a song embraced my heart as that one did, especially the line that talks about our children finding "clues and memories" of the life I lived. What would my children find when I am no longer walking this planet? What does my closet show them? Are my clothes modest for a woman my age? Are they washed and ironed, ready to wear? Do I have too many? My bedroom needs a good delcuttering right now so they would wonder about Mom's usually neat closet being so messy (on my To Do List for later today).

What about the CDs waiting to be played? What do the titles and artists chosen say about my life? Then there are the books... lots and lots of books. What would the titles indicate to my children? Would they want to keep and cherish many of the books? What does my Bible say about me, does it look well read? So many parts of my life to sift through, what would they find?

I don't even want to think of my dish and teacup collection. Perhaps this part of my life would be where they would shake their head and realize their mother was a little over the top when it came to this obsession... uh, hobby?

What kind of a spiritual legacy am I leaving behind? Was I willing, as the coach at the bagel shop, to fill my heart and mind with Wisdom and Truth each morning? Would they remember that I spoke with wisdom, would they "rise up and call me blessed" or would they look back on their childhood and follow Christ in spite of how their mother lived?

What kind of a legacy am I leaving to siblings and to neighbors, the the various co-workers I've known in the past, to church members, to the guys who pick up my trash, or the woman behind the counter at the bank? Does my life give out the fragrance of Christ or do I let my emotions get in the way too often, greeting those around me with a bad mood and sharp tongue?

I want to be like that coach... at the bagel shop... very early in the morning... pouring his time and his life into the lives of others. His legacy will go with him and by most he may be remembered for the games his team won or lost... but at least two young men will remember early morning talks... wisdom imparted... for all eternity.

A legacy...

Picture:  Building Memories by Sorensen