Blessings, Train Stations, and Tea Bags

Editor's Note: We all have thoughts — some good - some bad, but nonetheless they are thoughts. Our thoughts should be reflected upon and dealt with biblically (Rom. 12:1-3; Gal. 6:3; Phil. 3:12-17; Phil. 4:8-9; 2 Pet. 3:1, etc.). ‘Just Thinkin' Out Loud' (spelling of ‘thinkin'' is purposeful) is a series of thoughts that are being made public. You may or may not agree with all of the thoughts you read in this series, but it will help all of us to discuss them — out loud. The hope of the author and editors at IIIM is that this will assist all of us to begin personal reflection upon our own thoughts and compare them with God's perspective in Holy Scripture. Readers are encouraged to use small discussion groups and/or our RPM forum for any irenic discussion(s) of these specific thoughts and others they may bring about.

Blessings are a bit like the two stations. Some just come to you and stop. Other blessings come to you, and, if you let them, go right through. As they pass, though, they take a bit of you with them. They take your smile, tone of voice, etc.

While I like both kinds of train stations and have no favorites in that regard, I particularly favor the kind of blessings that go through me.

Blessings have a resemblance to tea bags, too. Water never goes through a bag with being colored and flavored by the contents of the bag. What comes out of the bag depends on the contents of the bag, and how they have reacted to the processes applied to them. It is sort of like the flavoring and coloring people have in their souls. Because of the mixture of their attitude, the experiences they have been through, and their reactions to those experiences, they act and react in certain ways to opportunities. So does a tea bag when it steeps in hot water. The flavor you taste when you drink the tea is similar in nature to the "flavor" someone else experiences when you are a blessing to them.

So, tell me. What kind of tea bag are you? What is going to come out when you let a blessing flow through you?

Tell me what you think, I'm just thinkin' out loud!