It Was Just a Cup of Coffee
I met a friend for coffee.
That sentence may not sound like much, but for me, it was a milestone. For the past 60+ months, my world has become much smaller than I ever imagined. Most outings have been doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, or something my family truly needed me to attend. Going out “just because” hasn’t been part of my story for a long time.
But this day was different. It was rainy, cool, and gray—certainly not the kind of summer day that makes you think of iced drinks and sunshine. Instead, I wanted something warm. Something cozy. Something new.
So at a little quaint cafe, I ordered one of their specials: a brown sugar latte. Now, I’m not really a coffee drinker, but every once in a while, a good decaf latte sounds like the perfect treat. That first sip caught me by surprise. I smiled. Those happy goosebumps showed up. I closed my eyes for just a second and took another sip, letting myself enjoy every bit of the moment. I smiled again, looked at my friend and said, "Thank you for blessing my life. This moment is filling my heart with joy."
I'll be honest. It wasn’t really about the coffee. It was about sitting across from a dear friend who has faithfully walked beside me through this journey. It was about leaving my room for something other than a doctor’s appointment. It was about realizing that every difficult “no” I had said during the past several months had quietly prepared me for this simple “yes.”
Am I cured? No. Did everything suddenly become easy? Not at all. But that moment was worth every “no” that helped me get there.
Sometimes we think joy has to be loud to be meaningful. I’ve discovered it often whispers instead. It invites us to slow down, breathe deeply, and fully experience the gift sitting right in front of us. This month, I’m paying attention to those moments. The quiet ones. The unexpected ones. The ones that remind me God has been faithfully writing a beautiful story all along.
JOY-FUELED COACHING TIP
Grab a sheet of notebook paper—not your phone notes. Stay present.
At the top write: July JOY Moments
This week, try one small thing you’ve never done before—or revisit something you’ve always enjoyed but haven’t made time for lately.
Then ask yourself:
- What did I notice?
- Which of my five senses came alive?
- How did this moment help me slow down?
Remember…
New experiences invite your brain to pay closer attention. The more present you become, the easier it is to notice the quiet gifts God places in your day.
SCRIPTURE TO HOLD FOR JOY
“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” — Psalm 34:8
JOY FOR THE JOURNEY
Sometimes the sweetest moments in life begin with a simple “yes.”
LET’S JOURNEY TOGETHER WITH JOY
Friend, don’t underestimate the power of one small joy-filled moment. If you missed last week’s blog, You’ll Want to Remember This, I hope you’ll read that one too. Then join me each week for a new blog and Tip Tuesday, and visit my Joy-Fueled Lifestyle Hub for simple encouragement, practical tools, and gentle reminders to keep choosing joy—right where you are.
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