The heavenly aroma of freshly brewed coffee hit me before my eyes even had a chance to open. My sister has always been an early riser and so that morning she had set herself to work making us eggs and coffee. The smell of coffee always brings back memories of my Grandparent’s and my Aunt & Uncle’s house which always smelled of freshly ground coffee beans. This delicious substance must be consumed no matter if I’ve been trying to get off caffeine for the past several days. It never settles well with my stomach and I usually have a hang over the next day unless I get my caffeine before the headache hits, but some days it’s so worth it. So that morning I took my time and enjoyed each sip as I had my devotions and visited with my sister.
Most mornings I wake up in a hurry. I speed through or completely skip breakfast in my rush to get into the day and all I have planned. I don’t enjoy the breakfast my sister has worked hard to prepare; I scarf it down as fast as I can so that I am not late for work. And instead of enjoying a few minutes in the morning with my siblings before we go our separate ways, I sometimes waste that time preparing for the day. Driven by the tyranny of the urgent I miss so many simple blessings. I need to slow down and make time to enjoy and be replenished and refreshed by life. If I find that I simply just don’t have the extra time to do so then I need to look at my schedule and see how I can better arrange my time. Maybe I need to go to bed earlier so I can wake up earlier. Maybe I need to take less time getting ready for the day, less time stressing and rushing here and there, filling my life with many busy nothings. We should never be so busy that we cannot take a moment to enjoy God’s blessings.
So many of us are dividing ourselves between so many different things that all we can spare the time and energy to give each project and endeavor is just a small percentage, a fraction really, of what we are truly capable of had we not accepted so many responsibilities that were not necessary for us to take on. We are putting a strain on our whole being. Sometimes we need to say no to a few projects, a few ministries, and a few opportunities so that we can stop and really give 100% in all we do, to enjoy the results of what we’ve labored to accomplish and to be blessed by life and all that we are a part of. God never gives us conflicting priorities. We should not be stretched so thin by life’s demands. God gave us enough to do what He’s called us to and no more. If we can’t bear it then perhaps we’ve taken on something that wasn’t our burden to carry, or job to fulfill, or our responsibility or relationship to fix or be involved in.
So lately I’ve been trying to slow down, to actually life and thrive and not just survive life. I try to take it minute by minute, day by day. We need to stop and smell the coffee and the roses. It takes a great deal for most of us to brew a simple cup of coffee and sit down and enjoy it. We’d rather run through McDonalds and get it made for us and sometimes even then we don’t stop and enjoy the flavor and aroma. Likewise, we rush through life and don’t even notice the roses let alone smell them.
So in my thankfulness journal I have begun writing down even the very simplest pleasures that I am truly grateful for and it helps me notice and enjoy them even more. I start looking for blessings and it helps me slow down and take life one moment at a time.
Here are a few of my blessings this week:
1. Being able to visit, laugh, play music, & cook together with Marianne.
2. Spend time with my little brother & sister.
3. The beautiful quilt on my bed which my brother gave me for Christmas
4. Singing to the residents at the nursing home & seeing their faces light up as I talk with them.
5. The Prayer shawl from my Aunt Donna
6. Being able to get off work early & make enough money in tips to cover a bill.
7. An encouraging Facebook wall post from a friend
8. My sister’s amazing lemon bars
9. Cappuccino Chunky Chocolate ice cream & waffle cones!
10. My sister’s strange but hilarious sense of humor which helps me lighten up.
Now it's your turn. What are some simple, special, meaningful things that you are grateful for? Take time to notice and enjoy each one.
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