Serving Tea

“Would you like a cup of tea?”

"Yeah. In a mug. Two sugars. Builder's tea. I don't want any of that nonsense I had the last time I was here, all that fine China and all that saucer stuff".

This seems like the kind of likely answer a builder would give to the offer of a cuppa made by a householder in whose home he works. The tea was duly delivered, in the manner requested. The remarkable aspect of this story, however, is that the home was Buckingham Palace and the lady offering the refreshment was the Queen. The tradesman never looked up to see who was taking his order, and he carried on with his task of dismantling a wooden desk. The incident was recalled by royal employee Kevin Andrews, who said the astonished workman only realised who it was when he looked up to see the Queen leaving the room, having quietly delivered the mug.

In many ways it is a trite story. It is not too hard to believe that the Queen would make herself some tea during the day and offer some to a tradesman working in her home. Yet we see monarchs as ones who are waited upon and served, rather than serving. This unnamed builder enjoyed a royal waitress service few of us are likely to receive.

More remarkable than HM serving strong tea in a mug is King Jesus saving, sustaining and richly blessing sinners. Though He governs a universe and rules over angels, He always deigns to hear our prayers and supplications. This is why we Christians love our King. Though we serve Him, we know He serves us far better. And though we love him so much, we know His love for us is a thousand-fold greater than whatever affection our mean hearts muster for Him.

Image by ErikaWittlieb from Pixabay