Post first shared on http://www.justbeth.blog
“Would you like a double – shot today, Beth?”
Why yes – yes I would. Yes I would like 2 doses of strong espresso in my simple almond milk latte.
2 shots….. yes, a double.
Indeed.
I love our towns little coffee shop. It’s open 3 days a week and serves breakfast, lunch, coffees and dessert. The limited availability keeps my appreciation up for what has come to be a weekly treat. A Simple Almond Milk Latte often with a muffin or danish on the side. Sometimes I pop in for a quick to – go order and other days I meet up with friends to linger with our coffees and good conversation. I love that the owner knows my name. I love that if I’m not visiting with her at the coffee shop I may see her at the Veterinarians offices on the other side of town where she works on the days when the coffee shop is closed. It’s one of the many treasures of small town life. The knowing of the people.
The day Debbie asked me for a double , I hadn’t even considered that option. I had actually never had a double shot in a latte before. It always felt like it would be too much.
Too much caffeine.
Too much money. ( you pay for that shot- unless you’re a character in a Hallmark movie where it feels like the coffee is always “On the house.”)
Too much of a splurge. A latte was one thing but a double shot latte… just felt excessive.
But on that day, the day she offered… it sounded just right.
Perfect actually.
It was my way to take my weary soul and rejoice.
You see, the night before I had received more disheartening news. It came when it was too late for conversation and the only action I could take was attempt to sleep. The night was long and restless. The day ahead felt daunting as my body felt the effects of the rest – less night before. The weariness felt extra that day. I added the news to a long list of energy drainers from this year.
Weary…… from rule changes.
Weary…. from job loss or pay cuts.
Weary ….. from cancellations, re- schedules only to be cancelled again.
Weary…. from what feels like lots of talking but far to little listening.
Weary…. from all that 2020 has dished out.
But… on this day… the day of the double shot… I made a decision.
SO yes – double it up Debbie.
It was in the sipping of my delicious treat that the words to an old Christmas Hymn dropped into my soul. The tune is not one of my favorites so it was odd that was pulled from my memory. The words though… the words.. that describe the event that many of us will celebrate this week… the birth of Jesus – Our Savior… the words…
” A thrill of HOPE… a WEARY world…… REJOICES”
A
Weary
World
Rejoices.
God saw my sleepless night. He knew my Spirit, soul, body and mind were overwhelmed and he reminded me…
Beth…. You are Weary
AND
You can rejoice.
The weariness does not have to cancel your rejoicing.
The shifted holiday plans do not have to defer your hope
The questions that remain unanswered do not have to steal your energy, your focus, and the gifts of the present moment.
Yes – You are Weary.
and yes, You can Rejoice.
December 25 marks the beginning of the 12 days of Christmas or Christmas Tide. It is a segment of time in the Church calendar when we pause to celebrate the birth of Christ. We Rejoice that our Savior had been born, the Savior who has come offering…
HOPE for ALL people.
PEACE for ALL people.
JOY for ALL people.
LOVE for ALL people.
He came in to a Weary world and he invites us to REJOICE.
That day last week, the day of the double shot. It was important. It shifted me. It reminded me that my weariness is legit but my rejoicing can push through. I can say yes to simple pleasures that come my way. I can open my eyes to the gifts of this season. I can live, love, serve and celebrate.
Let’s do it. Let’s expectantly walk through these 12 days of Christmastide with eyes ready to see light in the darkness and let’s agree to be the light for those that just cannot see.
Oh my weary friends… Let’s rejoice. Shall we?
1 Peter 1:3-6
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us NEW BIRTH into a LIVING HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being GUARDED by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You REJOICE in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials…”
Join me over at http://www.justbeth.blog where I’ll walk through Christmastide – committed to finding a reason to rejoice each day.
Campfires and Marshmallows 