**Congratulations to the 150th rootedandgrowing.com follower, Laura R., from Waterford, VA!  Laura will receive a few of my favorite things!** 

(written by Kathy and posted earlier on the MomsHooPray website)

Bleary eyed from just waking up, I trudged to the kitchen to make my morning Darjeeling, a strong black tea. I like it black—just plain tea, no milk—but also with a little something to sweeten it up. (Living for five years in London never convinced me that milk and tea go together.)

I sat down in my favorite swivel rocker and took a sip.

Not bad, but blah. Something was definitely off. It was lacking.

Evidence still on the counter confirmed I had not forgotten to add one and a half perfect little packs of stevia sweetener—but in my sleepy state, I must have forgotten to stir.

Fixing the problem, I settled back into my cozy chair, uttering a quick prayer​, 

“Lord, please stir up Your Spirit in me.” (Because “just plain Kathy” is, well, like black tea, a tad too strong. I need the Holy Spirit to sweeten me up, so to speak.)

I turned on a favorite prayer app, and heard the narrator read this prayer:

“Father God, open my eyes, stir my heart and teach me how to ‘act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly’ with You today.” (Micah 6:8, NIVUK)

So I smiled and prayed, “Stir my heart, Lord. I really need it.”

Like my tea, I’ve been a bit blah lately. It began when this new Covid Omicron variant caused some much anticipated Christmas plans to be rescheduled.

It’s true. Expectations breed disappointment. (The book of James warns us to hold our plans loosely)

Even a substitute trip—trading the Christmas lights of the Big Apple for the beautiful Christmas lights of Richmond’s Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden—did not make up for seeing my HOO (and his HOO fiancé) in the flesh.

Because Omicron numbers continued to run amuck, and because a family member is currently immunocompromised, we played it safe the last few weeks and “attended” church online.

And once again, even though my women’s Bible study met in person this week after a long break, I sensed it was too soon for me. But I missed seeing my new church friends and being stimulated by our discussion.

And with the long semester break, I missed praying with old and new MomsHooPray friends.

Sure, I was texting and emailing and had a few good long phone chats with close friends. But something was off. Definitely lacking.

But I digress.

As I was pondering the “stirring” theme that God kept reinforcing, He suddenly brought this to mind: 

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.​ (Hebrews 10:24-25​ – ​English Standard Version)

I later wrote in my journal, “Lord, thank You for using something as simple as my tea to teach me this morning; the sweetener was in the tea, but it lacked flavor because I forgot to stir it. Likewise, I need my heart stirred every morning and all day long by Your Spirit—through being in Your word, being in prayer, and being with other believers.”

God can use anything! I forgot to stir up my “cuppa.” He took it from there to remind me of the importance of being with other believers.

God wants his kids to keep meeting together because we all need each other’s insight, encouragement and support.

Like me, you may need to be stirred up. Or you may be the one God uses to do the stirring.

Either way, we all need the Lord—and each other—to not grow weary in doing good, to not lose heart, to not be anxious, to keep on loving, keep on hoping, keep on trusting.

So next time you’re able to interact—in person or via Zoom—with others, whether it’s church, Bible Study, life group, or prayer—please don’t miss it!

And don’t forget to stir.

(Teacup Photo by Lisa Fotios from Pexels)