Welcome! Come on in for a delightful time of tea & reflection together. Or maybe your delight is coffee!
Today I have some new delights, a berry luscious tea with an apple & blueberry almond muffin. I’ve been experimenting with healthy low carb almond flour. What’s your delight today?
Once again I’m sitting at my desk, but with a Jazz instrumental playing in the background this time rather then a sonata. The position of my desk overlooks the Poinsettia bushes that have grown into small trees down the side of our driveway.
Where are you seated today with your hot beverage & treat of deliciousness? How are you going in this time of social distancing?
It’s difficult not seeing family & friends isn’t it! This Sunday it’s Mother’s day here in Australia, my daughter & family who live an hours drive away thought that the restrictions may be relaxed, so we could go on a social distancing picnic together with three of my grandchildren. I had been so looking forward to this…
But our State Premier quenched this idea on the news last night, that will not be happening this weekend for Mother’s day…as public picnics aren’t yet allowed.
My other daughters & grandchildren live interstate with one granddaughter overseas, the state & international borders are still closed. I will not be seeing them either but I’m not alone in this am I!
Thus, last night while pondering this disappointment & reading over my journal, I was reminded of the word I had been given for this year, Release.
The year of Release
The Dictionary definition of Release is;
- to set free
- allow (something) to move, act or flow freely
- the action of or process of releasing or being released.
The scriptural definition;
- Spiritual Release
Jesus said, “…He [God The Father] has sent me to proclaim release to the captives… And recovery of sight to the blind, to free those who are downtrodden. To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”
Luke 4: 18-9
- Spiritual Rest
“Therefore there remains a sabbath rest for the people of God…Let us therefore enter that rest…lest we become weary…”
Hebrews 4: 1-11
- Spiritual Renewal
“…To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord… To comfort all who mourn, to grant to those who mourn…garlands instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that He may be glorified.”
Isaiah 61: 2-3
Thus the year of release is a sabbatical year. The sabbatical year is one that is a favorable year of the Lord. It was known as a year of completion.
The favorable year?
As I look over the last five months so much has happened in our lives here in Australia;
- We had severe drought
- That was followed by catastrophic fire storms
- That were followed by floods
- And now we have a pandemic
None of which seems to fall into what I would classify as the favorable year of the Lord!
However, let’s examine what blessings have been released in these troubling times. I shared the blessing of truly trusting in God’s faithfulness when faced with a catastrophic Fire Storm & in Release & Rest.
How sharing our unique life experiences can release encouragement to another in their difficult circumstances in Living Life Well?
And last week I shared The Secret to Life which is an amazing blessing to have in life. Releasing us to see each disappointment, hardship, sadness & difficult situation through His eternal lenses rather then our own clouded ones.
So what can I see this Mother’s day?
My daughter & I had a discussion about this, as she doesn’t think my granddaughter Little Miss L, who has special needs, understands social distancing. Especially in the exciting event when she sees her Nanny (me). Also her siblings said that it will upset them not being able to have their special Nanny hugs & kisses when they see me.
So, because I’m in the highest risk category for CoVid19 (especially with these autoimmune conditions), hugs & kisses are sadly not possible at this time.
I had to decline seeing them this weekend in either of our homes (which has just been allowed in the past week here, with one nuclear family visiting a couple).
Eternal lens helps to clarify His wisdom over & above our misty emotional heart lens. Eternal lens differentiate His patience from our impatience, knowing that we will once again spend quality & loving time together, as a family, with many hugs & kisses, after a little time of waiting.
What are you seeing through His eternal lens in your time of waiting dear friend?
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
Or in Prayer
© 2020 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog, All Rights Reserved. Photos on Pexels.com
Tea With Jennifer 
Thank you Jennifer, my eyes were drawn straight to this post as ‘Release’ was God’s word to me in 2015 which became a significant part of my spiritual journey – I will save this post to reflect on!
Hi Sharon, lovely having you drop by, let me know how your reflecting goes 😀
Surely for all of us there are blessings (abundant) in every season. In the most troubling of seasons. Thank you for the reminder – and the shift of perspective! I hope you are able to snuggle and kiss on your little granddaughter soon!
You’re welcome Jennifer! Me too, I do miss them & showering them with grandma love! But every season has blessings & I’m counting mine that they are all well & safe! 😀
…I’ve always been a bit of a loner, silence and my thought have often been enough for me. Music releases me from the problems we find ourselves in at the moment. Make the best of your days, you will never get them back again.
Lovely to have you drop by Tom!
Music is a sweet distraction from the pandemic, isn’t it.
I agree, we do indeed need to enjoy each day, as you’re correct we only get one chance at this life!
Always enjoy sharing a cuppa with you, Jennifer. I am learning that I don’t like having our freedoms and liberty taken from us. And, I am learning that God uses even this!!! xo
Thank you Susan, its always lovely to have you here! Yes, there are so many lessons for us in this time. 😉
Your tea sounds lovely. I am drinking coffee right now. I plan on making fresh blueberry/raspberry muffins later this afternoon and will have one of those with tea tomorrow morning. It is comforting to know that we are to trust in Jesus and know that he will get us through this pandemic. It certainly doesn’t seem as if we humans have anything figured out.
Yum, they sound delicious Kara! I agree it is comforting to know He will get us all through this.
Lovely having you do by 😀
I’m sorry you weren’t able to see your family on Mother’s Day. It was my birthday yesterday and I had been hoping to be able to drive for an hour to visit family, even just to sit in the garden, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be. It definitely helps to release it to God and to keep sight of the bigger picture.
Absolutely Lesley! Happy birthday!
His comfort is well comforting in this time of being isolated, knowing that we will see our families again soon & what a delight that will be! 😀