Mocha Delight

I sense the need to blog.

But what shall I blog about?

I have so many thoughts swirling around in this head of mine, yet I struggle to find one clear point to share on my blog.

Oh, here's one- I'm drinking some very, very delicious hot chocolate right now. I opted for the plain hot chocolate, not my usual mocha due to the time of evening.

: )

Perhaps that's where I will take this entry, and the upcoming few entries, into a discussion on the things I have come to love during this first year of living in Scotland. Some things were already dear to me, but others are newly found. Some are petty, others quite substantial.

Some of you know how much I love a good mocha. This preference didn't really form until after my college years, oddly enough (as most coffee addicts form IN college). I felt the [relative] need for some caffeine during my days as a nanny, and the smell of brewing coffee was enticing more than ever before. Since I had typically spit out sips of plain black coffee in previous attempts, I knew I needed to be creative. So I created, or likely re-created, my first homemade mocha and have been hooked ever since.

Medium strength coffee, a few teaspoons (or tablespoons!) of hot chocolate mix, and a splash of milk (soy is just as good). But not just ANY hot chocolate mix, my friends. Nestle Rich Chocolate is a MUST. Seriously. And for the prime homemade mocha experience, I recommend the coffee be one of the glorious Starbucks blends. That's not as much a necessity as the Nestle hot choc, though, especially on a student budget. But the two do amalgamate so beautifully!

This year in Scotland I have certainly desired mochas on a regular basis, even now in the summer. It is likely due to the stresses of student life, but perhaps also for the comfort while snuggled up under a blanket and reading a good book or chatting with God. In such a cold place, a warm mug between the hands is so sweet and soothing. The familiar taste of coffee and the-best-ever-hot-chocolate is part of this comfort, but the overall combination of warmth, flavor, and soul enrichment is what does it.

I know, it may seem a stretch to link something so petty as coffee to deep, spiritual encounters...but this is just one example of the past year's discoveries of how such measly things can truly draw me into the presence of the One who created my taste buds and my need for warmth.

One of my favorite authors, Randy Alcorn, writes in his book, Heaven:

"Every day we should see God in his creation: in the food we eat, the air we breathe, the friendships we enjoy, and the pleasures of family, work, and hobbies. Yes, we must sometimes forgo secondary pleasures, and we should never let them eclipse God. And we should avoid opulence and waste when others are needy. But we should thank God for all of life's joys, large and small, and allow them to draw us to him. ... God doesn't want to be replaced or depreciated. He wants to be recognized as the source of all our joys, and he wants us to draw closer to him through partaking of his creation. My taking pleasure in a good meal or a good book is taking pleasure in God. It's not a substitute for God, nor is it a distraction from him." (italics mine)

As I delight in the little things in life, I delight in God. And these mochas sure are delightful, although sometimes I have to limit how much I partake during especially stressful times. (Too much caffeine = upset innards and unpleasant jittery-ness). :}

Stay tuned for more thoughts of things that have drawn me nearer to the source of all joy this year.