✨ Peace in a Cup of Tea

Where God Shows Up in the Smallest Ways

Sometimes, God shows up in the most unexpected places.

Years ago, journalist and author Sara Miles — in a reflection titled “The Kingdom of God Is Near” — traveled to South Africa during the final days of apartheid. She was visiting a township called Alexandra when things took a dangerous turn — military vehicles rolled in, gunfire broke out, and chaos erupted around her.

Just then, a woman appeared in the doorway of a small hut and waved Sara inside. She sat her down, put on the kettle, and handed her a hot, steaming cup of tea.

“Drink that, dear. It’ll do you good.”

It was such a simple gesture. But in that moment, Sara felt something deeper — a sense of peace she couldn’t explain. Years later, after she became a Christian, she looked back and realized: God’s peace was in that cup.

A Girl, a Dance, and 10,000 People

That same day, Sara and her companion walked to a nearby stadium, where 10,000 unarmed South Africans had gathered for a peaceful rally. The military had warned them not to come. Tanks and helicopters circled. Soldiers stood ready with tear gas and weapons.

Then, out of nowhere, a 10-year-old girl walked onto the field… and started dancing.

Joyfully. Freely. Completely unafraid.

As she twirled in front of the tanks, the helicopters blared warnings to leave. But instead of running in fear, the crowd followed the girl — singing, dancing, and leaving the stadium together in peace.

Sara later wrote, “They were marching into the Kingdom of God.”

And honestly, it’s hard to disagree.

Healing, Humility, and the People We Don’t See

The second half of the story takes us to the Bible, to the second Book of Kings — to Naaman, a powerful military commander with a not-so-powerful secret: he had leprosy.

Despite all his rank and riches, he couldn’t heal himself. But it wasn’t a king or a prophet who changed his life — it was a nameless servant girl, taken from her home in war, who told him:

“There’s a prophet in my homeland. He can help.”

And when Naaman finally followed her advice (after throwing a bit of a tantrum), he was healed.

It’s humbling, isn’t it? That the people with no status, no recognition — the ones history forgets — are the ones who often carry the truth, the love, the healing.

What If We’re the 70?

Jesus once sent 70 of his followers out into the world. No money, no bag, no backup plan. He told them to enter people’s homes, bless them, and say:

“Peace be with you… and know that the Kingdom of God has come near.”

I love that.

No big show. No need to be impressive. Just show up, offer peace, and be a sign that God is already at work.

And maybe that’s us. Maybe we’re those 70. Maybe we’re the unnamed ones sent out ahead, carrying something small but powerful — a word of comfort, a moment of kindness, a cup of tea when the world feels like it’s falling apart.

So, What Does This Mean for Us?

It means God is still creating something new, right here and now — even in broken places.

It means peace doesn’t need to be loud to be real.

And it means we get to be part of it — even if nobody remembers our names.

So go ahead. Offer peace. Share kindness.

Make tea.

Because the Kingdom of God just might be breaking in through you.

📝 Sara Miles’ story is adapted from her reflection,

“The Kingdom of God Is Near”, published on Journey with Jesus (July 2007).

Hear the homily preached July 6, 2025 from which this post was developed: