Hey Friends.......
I am so happy to be here posting......this past week, with all of it's jam-packed schedules, appointments, and back-and-forth-from-here-to-there.....had me thinking about one simple, often-overlooked word: FUN!
You see....I found myself sitting in a hospital waiting room amidst a lot of other people. Right next to me stood a super intelligent coffee, tea, and hot chocolate machine. This thing was clearly smarter than all of us combined. But....I did finally figure it out and for the length of time that I sat in that room, I enjoyed not only 1, but 2 cups of Hot chocolate. Don't get me wrong...I'm definitely not saying I am smart...I'm simply saying that I was thirsty, hungry and determined to be able to enjoy a nice cup of something warm.
Apparently, this high-tech beverage barista required a master's degree in decoding pop-up instructions. People of all ages and backgrounds tried to get it to make even the most basic cup of coffee, and failed miserably. This is when I became the unofficial drink whisperer. I must have made at least 20 cups of coffee, hot tea and even a few delicious hot cocoas.
At one point, I considered setting out a "Tips Appreciated" jar.
Then, the best thing happened......we laughed, and strangers started talking to each other. It was so nice to see the stress on people's faces seem to disappear while enjoying a warm drink and a smile.
This is the power of fun!! It sneaks in, even in the most unlikely places, and lightens the load.
What I discovered is that Fun in not the enemy of responsibility. It's a companion that helps us carry it. None of us in that room were ignoring reality, we were just finding a little sunshine in it.
Hey....I loved that coffee machine and if I could afford one, I would go out tomorrow and make the purchase.. This machine alone, brought a lot of joy and fun to a room full of worry... I would say...Never, never ever underestimate the importance of fun!!
Shug....💛
Thank you! Although I've been a lurker, I've been praying. May the good Lord who loves you more than you know bring you peace in all that the future may unfold. He's promised never to leave nor forsake His children who are loved more than we can imagine. Oops, I'm repeating myself. May peace like a river attend your & Sam's souls. It is well with your soul (& so the old hymn goes) Blessings & peace to you & yours, Bobbie the lurker who loves your blog :-)
ReplyDeleteI love this! I'm not surprised to hear that you found joy and shared it with others! Spreading God's love in a place where people needed it.
ReplyDeleteOh Shug! We love this! I read it, then read it aloud to Phil. We both laughed and laughed. You do have a way with words! I declare, you can find fun in ANYTHING!! And a new header and background, it is gorgeous!! Beautiful flowers with matching polka dots! It doesn't get any better than this!
ReplyDeleteP.S. We do have a Keurig machine, but apparently not nearly as complex as this one was!
ReplyDeleteOh Shug, you have such a special way of looking at things. That coffee machine sounds pretty high tech. I have a single coffee filter that makes one cup at a time, and it's ideal for me, cause I love my coffee HOT. I'm sure you helped take away some of the patients' worry even for a few moments while you made their hot beverage and talked to them with that sweet voice of yours. Yes, fun comes in all different shapes and sizes. May God be with you during this difficult time of "waiting."
ReplyDelete~Sheri
You are so right. A smile or a friendly remark can transform a waiting room of worry.
ReplyDeletePeople worry about AI, but it is complicated coffee makers that we should watch out for!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, you should have put out a tip jar...lol That's awesome that a coffee maker could bring people together for a little while and bring smiles into otherwise stressful moments.
ReplyDeleteI'm sitting here in tears, my friend. You and your sweet approach to life is how the Lord used you to relieve the stress in that room of strangers. YOU, my friend, are a blessing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update on all that you and Sam endured that day. Sending love and hugs.
Amen to that! ❤️
ReplyDeleteYes ma'am, amen. Wishing you a beautiful day.
ReplyDeleteYou know the old saying "It's all about perspective" Well here is a prime example! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh how wonderful that you helped people make hot drinks! Sounds like a machine that you need some kind of degree to operate...good for you Shug!!
ReplyDeleteYou just seem to have fun everywhere you go, Shug, no matter where you are. Yes, sharing joy with others helps relieve all kinds of stress. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteEcclesiastes 3:12-13 mentions that there is nothing better than to be joyful and to do good as long as we live, and that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil. I see in you, that “freedom in Christ” that has set you free, and why you’re so fun- loving.
ReplyDeleteI just read Debby @ My Shasta Home's comment. I say a hearty AMEN to that too. You are so fun-loving and I treasure reading your blog posts.
ReplyDeleteWow what a week you have had. I can't believe the hours you and Sam spent for all of the lab work. He must have been drained dry..(:0) sorry I couldn't resist.
I hear you on those crazy vending machines. I have had so many dollars swallowed up by them and so many half cups of "hot strange combinations". The hospital cafeteria truly isn't much better.
You definitely were the Caffeine Angel...and you brought smiles and laughter to that stressful room.
(((hugs)))
Sue
Hi dear Shug, but you are smart! :) So glad you enjoyed a nice hot chocolate! I love hot chocolate. You truly are a sweet lady and an inspiration! I am so happy that you find joy in the little things and in practically every situation! Thank you so much for sharing, and I hope you have a great weekend. I love your pink polka dot background! God bless you, keeping you and your family in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteWell, I sure do hope Sam qualifies for a liver transplant.
ReplyDeleteI have seen some pretty complicated coffee machines.
Why do they put those in there?
I can just see you helping everyone and having fun - when people are so scared.
FUN!
They should offer you a job at that hospital...the queen of hospitality and coffee/hot chocolate machine guru! I can well imagine that your kindness turned that room into a much happier place than it would've been otherwise. Thank you for being a blessing for those who were carrying heavy loads that day. I'm sure it even lightened your heavy load a bit as well. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteNothing like determination to accomplish the job. Some of these tech machines can be confusing. Sounds like you turned a difficult time into a more joyful time for all.
ReplyDeleteSometimes a laugh, a smile and a good cup of coffee can make all the difference in someone's day! Thanks for the update on Sam, too.
ReplyDelete