Each morning, I wake knowing I will go through a familiar routine. It starts by heating water to 85C. The next step involves a course grind of my favourite coffee beans. The two ingredients come together in a French press. After a time in a long soak, my half cup of black coffee is ready. I am certain about the experience that follows. My confidence is not about a pick-me-up boost for the morning. I am certain I will find warmth in the cup, a soothing wave of relaxation with the first sip, followed by a reflective, cleansing breath of peace.
This morning was a fresh reminder of certainty in my life. It is also a lesson reminder of how easy it is to lose sight of the elements that strengthen and guide my response to each moment.
Love, kindness, and care are always with us. No matter how dark I might think things are, within my heart. I know love, kindness, and care are at home. It is easy to forget that every issue is transitory while I am in the heat of anger or frustration. With a pause and a deep breath of peaceful air, I will see a doorway to something more important than my flash point. If I am willing to open that door, I am certain I will discover that I am stepping out into a place where I can truly be alive with kindness and care dominating my view.
I am never alone. As difficult as this might seem, the reality is that I am in relationships that care deeply about me. It starts close and tangible. In the heat of the moment, I forget the experience of an individual getting on a plane to come to me so we could walk together. I forget the coffee sleeve on my IV to remind me that I am loved. I close my eyes, I hear laughter, I see smiles, and I remember that “God can’t break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable.” (Hebrews 6.18)
