Of lessons on love: The story of a mug

One day during the summer of 2021, I was hanging out with my amazing sister-in-law Betty and we were just chatting about stuff and life in general. The convo at some point turned to our dreams and hopes and what stands in our way. Before I continue, let me tell you, I used to hear the term sister-in-love and it puzzled me a bit because we all know not all of those relationships are so love filled. Those who know, know what I mean LOL! Then I met Betty and I cannot tell you how much of a blessing this woman is to our lives. Of course, to my brother, but also, to me. Kind, patient, understanding and wiser than her years, God truly chose her for him and for our family.

Anyway, back to the story, we chat and I tell her some of the stuff I wanna do and she encourages me and then I tell her how paralyzed by fear I am. The fear of not knowing, the fear of failure, the fear of rejection, the fear of judgement. She listens, patiently and calmy and says “you are stronger than you think.” I just smile and we keep hanging out and I didn’t give it any other thought. Couple of days later, she goes to meet her friends at the mall and when she came back, she said she had a gift for me. It was a mug, a beautiful white speckled with black dots tea mug. And on it said, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’. This is, as you may know, is from Philippians 4:13.

And with that one action, she did three very important things. Firstly, she made me feel heard. She may not have had any concrete solutions for me at the time but she made it clear to me that she listened to me, truly listened and heard me. Secondly, she made me feel seen, that it mattered enough to her that I know she sees me. Thirdly, she made me feel loved. And because she knows that I am an avid tea drinker, she knew that that mug would be in my sight all the time and would be constant reminder that I can indeed, do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

So many of us think that showing love has to be some major declaration of some kind, something grand in scale, yet often, it is the small, thoughtful ways we show those in our lives that we care that mean the most. With that one, seemingly small gesture, she showed me love and encouraged me in ways I could not have thought of. This gorgeous mug is filled with tea about seven times a day, every day, and I am reminded, every day, of not just her love but of God’s love for me. For at the end of it all, isn’t that all that truly matters? To been seen, to be heard and to be loved?

I wonder, how can you, today, in some small way, show love to someone in your life?