Here I am, sitting in a little café just a few hundred metres from the beach, relishing the opportunity to sit and write. The fresh salty air comes wafting past, washing the last of the autumn leaves off the trees, and I inhale the wind like it’s my last breath. There is something so cleansing about the sea.
It’s a cool winter’s day but the sun is out, a pleasant mixture of warmth and crispness. My fingers have finally defrosted after the freezing wake-up call of this morning. It must be at least ten degrees by now. I linger in the warmth of the sun for another minute, willing it to unfreeze my insides as well.
Around me are the familiar sounds of any café: the gentle chatter of friends catching up, the cozy book corner, the ballads of the nineties playing over the sound system, the walls dotted with beach and underwater paintings by local artists, the buzz of the coffee machine nearby. The smell of coffee is thick and I imagine that it helps to warm me. I don’t drink coffee myself, but I have always loved the smell. I let it fill my lungs like it’s oxygen.
A waitress approaches and hands me a pot of green tea with a smile. The beverage is accompanied by an itty-bitty lime tart. My mouth waters appreciatively. Life is filled with simple blessings, and surely a lime tart and a pot of tea are among them.
I take a small mouthful of tart with the petite fork provided, and sweet citrus oozes out and fills my mouth. Heaven. I take a sip of tea from my mug, and the soothing earthiness floods my belly. The warmth sinks to my toes as I cradle the steaming mug.
I thank God with a silent sigh.
I feel spoiled to even be here. Life is not always easy, and sometimes the challenges sweep us off our feet—not in a good way. It can be hard to see the blessings. My life for the past eighteen months has been especially challenging, what with chronic illness flares, major surgery and an interstate relocation in the mix. At times, it has been hard to see the proverbial light at the end of the very long tunnel.
I feel spoiled just to be here.
I am genuinely amazed to be sitting here near the beach feeling relatively well and taking time on my day off to write—an activity which I love but which, in the busyness of life, can easily slip down the to-do list.
So today is a breath of fresh air, literally and figuratively.
I’m grateful to be living in a fabulous new place. I’m glad that my recent disease flares seem to have (mostly) settled. I’m relieved to have a break in my work week in which to write. I’m enjoying this lime tart—and I intend to linger with it for as long as possible.
Thank you, God.
What simple blessings have you enjoyed recently? Do you find it easy to notice the little things? What kinds of self-care can you linger with this week? Share your story. Let’s have a countercultural conversation.
*Note: this blog has been part of a synchroblog with other Omega Christian writers about the topic of Blessings. The other blogs are posted via their links below. Please read and enjoy!
Blessings in Good Times and Bad – Nola Lorraine: https://www.nolalorraine.com.au/unexpected-blessings/
A Good God Who Wants to Bless Us – Susan Barnes: https://www.susanbarneswriter.com/synchroblog-a-good-god-who-wants-to-bless-us/
Hi Steph – The only thing that could improve that tart would be to encase it in Rocky Road. The older I get, the more I love those quiet moments in a cafe where I can just sip my almond milk cappucino, eat my gluten-free carrot cake, and read whatever’s on my Kindle.
I’m glad that the move is working out for you. I would love to live by the beach–the closest one is about a 2.5 hr drive from where I live. But I was blessed recently to spend some time on a little island near Brisbane and soak in some nature. Any time that I can get out into beautiful surroundings is a great stress-reliever for me, even if it’s just a nice park near where I live. In spite of other things that migt be happening, it’s always good to remember those little things as well.
A couple of years ago, I started keeping a gratitude journal, and every day, I write down something good that happened the day before. It’s amazing how often I write one of those little things (e.g., ‘a relaxing day at home with Tim’, ‘took Penny for a nice walk’, ‘had a good chat with so-and-so’). Those little ‘day-brighteners’ can add up to a lot.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Nola, normally I’d agree with the Rocky Road sentiment, but I’da gone with fresh cream for this tart. I love the sound of your self-care: cappucino, carrot cake and Kindle, plus nature as it avails itself. The gratitude journal is a cool idea, and I like the thought of looking back over your week to remember all the good stuff that happened. Sounds like the perfect antidote for a bad day too!
Yes, being thankful for the small, everyday blessings is such a good thing to do. I haven’t always been very good at this but I’m learning. Thanks for the encouragement.
Hi Susan, same here, it’s a lifelong lesson I reckon. Glad to see I’m not the only traveller on this road!