It is pleasant to sit down with a friend and share a cup of coffee. I am having my first cup of caramel drizzle Folger’s this morning. If you are a coffee drinker, I invite you to pour a cup and sit down with me. Or, if you don’t care for coffee, just know that you are welcome.
We all need a place or two in life where we can sit and relax and share thoughts with those we trust. We need those little oases of friendship that glow as we look back on them. Mom and Dad’s kitchen and their dining table was one of those places for me. How many cups of coffee did I drink while chatting with them about nothing or everything? There was a favorite tea room in another town that was a long-time favorite of mine. My sister-in-law Linda and I, Norma, or other friends would flock to this small, warm house and have coffee or tea and, for lunch, usually a quiche. So, this morning, I invite you to my place. It is warm, the coffee is hot, and the latch string is out.
On a recent Sunday, our pastor included in his sermon, the question, “What if?” That is a favorite question of writers. We see a situation that has some unknown qualities and we create a whole scenario around it. We hear a story on the news and think, “Yes, but what if there is a deeper reason behind what is broadcast?” We hear of someone who dies a millionaire but is alone in the world with no family or friends and we think, “What if in this person’s past, there was great tragedy which changed her completely and left her a bitter recluse?” We hear about an injustice and wonder, “What if the victim became the victor and reacted with forgiveness?”
Many times all the negative, worrisome, unjust and just plain terrible things become nearly overwhelming. Then, in my mind, I go to a warm, familiar place and think, “What if all is well, love replaces hatred, graciousness replaces hurt feelings, soft words replace the harsh ones, kindness replaces selfishness, industry replaces idleness, and freedom is valued above security? What if I have nothing at all to worry about and my trust and faith is so complete that no niggling uneasiness creeps in to trouble my thoughts?” So, for a brief time, I take a mini-vacation, a time out, and remind myself that God is, ultimately, in charge of the universe. We all need that special retreat where we can say, “What if all is well, everywhere?” Going there, with a cup of hot caramel drizzle is a good way to start the day.
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