ex(PR)essed

Yesterday was the annual Ladies Christmas Tea at church. Each year, the ladies in my church go all out and transform our fellowship hall into a lovely hoilday scene…straight out of a Currier and Ives print. Then, they fill the tables with delicious treats, and laughter and merriment ring throughout the room. I always sit with my dear friends Allyson and Anita, and we enjoy sampling all the goodies, singing carols, and pausing for a moment to remember the true reason for this Christmas season.

Well, yesterday was really no different…at first. The room looked festive, the food was wonderful, and my friends were great. But after most of the ladies had left for home, I found myself in the kitchen up to my elbows in a sink of dirty dishes. And, truly, I couldn’t have been happier! While I washed dishes, a beautiful woman who unexpectedly recently lost her 39-year-old son worked on preparing communion for today’s service. Another lady who I barely know, dried the dishes I washed, and we giggled everytime she cracked a plastic cup while drying it. At the next sink over was a dear sister who attends our Spanish-speaking ministry, and she, too, was busy washing dishes with a partner. Our cute pastor’s wife popped in and out of the kitchen, bringing us more dishes and encouraging us in our efforts. And, I was humbled to stand there among all those lovely women, working side by side and feeling grateful for a church family that I adore. What a wonderful glimpse of the kingdom…ladies of all ages and background working together!