Organic Oriental Chai

Hampstead’s Organic Oriental Chai. It certainly sounds exotic, and I gave it a good smell before tasting. Now there is a general rule with fancy teas: the better it smells the more disappointing its taste. Sadly, its smell was rather good. There was a primary ingredient I recognised but could not name. I sniffed and deliberated several times before admitting my ignorance and examining the ingredients list. It was cinnamon, blended with ginger. With heavy heart, I made myself a cup, expecting to dislike the taste on account of its out-of-winter timing and delicious smell. I was pleasantly surprised! Although I added milk (a practice I insist upon as a God-fearing Englishman), the quaff was pleasant indeed.

Too often, we fear disappointment. Being let down. Having our hopes dashed. Being rejected by those we admire. This causes us to become cynical, distrustful, insular and cold. I might have thrown my Organic Ornamental Chai to the back of the cupboard, eventually throwing it away when the bags of herb succumbed to damp. For having tasted something, despite my misgivings, I was able to receive unexpected pleasure. Declares the psalmist:

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8

Christ is the one who never disappoints, who always exceeds; who never forsakes, always is faithful. He is the One of whom we always desire more and not less. Those who tasted but never imbibed (Hebrews 6:4) walk away; those who truly drink of the Water of Life never thirst again.