How many of you love coffee? I know I do!
I love waking up in the morning with a warm mug in hand and curling up on the couch. Coffee is my go-to versatile drink of comfort. Coffee can be warm and comforting or cool and invigorating. Coffee can be refreshing or soothing. Coffee can wake the senses or relax the mind.
So what is your go-to comfort food/drink? We all have our various comfort foods/drinks that we absolutely love! Perhaps yours is cold soda on a hot afternoon, hot tea when you have a cold, or pizza when you’re exhausted. Whatever your go-to comfort is, I want you think of it now and then insert it in place of the word “coffee” for the following summer challenge:
Find Something Better Than Coffee-Cultivate Friendships
As teachers (or students), we go on vacation or home during the summer. Wherever our journeys may lead us, I’m challenging you to find someone whose “better than coffee.” Find a new friend this summer–someone more comforting or more refreshing than coffee.
This week, I spent time with three different ladies(three potential new friends). Their pasts, personalities, and priorities were all very different and yet I enjoyed getting to know each one of them.
The first was a very bright woman, only a few years older than me, who shares my passion for teaching and loves coffee just as much as I do. My first impression of her told me that she seemed a little head strong, very leader oriented, and honestly a bit intimidating; but after we went out for breakfast I realized that we had much more in common than I thought. We shared our past stories and I was amazed at all that the Lord had done in her life. She related to parts of my story and as she told hers I realized that assumptions can lead your thoughts of someone down the wrong path and can cause you to miss out on a wonderful friendship opportunity. Needless to say that our one hour breakfast date turned into an amazing three hours, and I knew that I had found a friend that was even more refreshing than coffee.
The second was a very kind and friendly woman, around my age, who loves the company of those around her. We ate snacks that we didn’t have to cook and flickered through Netflix movies together. We didn’t have to say much, but simply enjoy each other’s laughter and side comments. We only spend an hour or two together, but I thoroughly enjoyed it because I had found a friend who was more relaxing than coffee.
The third was a somewhat shy and reserved woman, only a few years younger than me, whose maturity and skills exceed expectations. At first, I thought that it would be a bit rough getting her to open up to me, but then I understood that trusting someone (sharing the small details of your life) takes time-it doesn’t have to happen right away. So instead of trying to talk away the evening, I invited her over for dinner and a movie. We made a lovely meal that included corn, Alfredo pasta, and garlic chicken. In doing so, we talked about our preferences–favorite television shows, music genres, and various dishes. Although I learned that we had a lot of differences, I also learned that we had a lot in common as well. We both try to eat healthy (emphasis on try), we both like Planet Fitness and believe that physical fitness is essential, and we both love coffee! We then went to the movies and came back around midnight. We were exhausted and our speech had dwindled down to silence, but I was happy because I had found a friend who was more versatile than coffee.
This week, I learned so much about how to invest time and build friendships. Often times, we run to our favorite television shows, our favorite places, our favorite foods or drinks for comfort or refreshment, when, in all honesty, a good friend can do so much more for our heart and our soul.
My challenge to you? Invest in a new friendship this summer! Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you, who encourage you, or who simply make you smile. Get to know those who you haven’t noticed before. You may just find someone whose better than coffee.
Teaching Creativity 