I sat at a booth in the diner, chatting with the stranger across from me while the scent of rich coffee wafted past. Both of us, neither knowing the other’s name, were having a lively debate about a banal topic: Pacific Northwest winter weather. He was waiting for his to-go breakfast order to be ready, and so was I. We were surrounded by twinkling Christmas lights, decorations, and a fair amount of holiday cheer – fueled by the excellent coffee served at this little, small-town diner. 

After he got his order, he left, and I sat in silence, sipping my latte as I waited for breakfast. Once I had my own order in hand, I bid a good morning to the friendly staff of our town’s only sit-down restaurant and tromped out into the cold December rain. By the time I made it across the parking lot to my truck, I was soaked. My purse was soaked, the paper bag holding our breakfast was soaked, and my hair drooped from the weight of the water. Yet I felt nothing but happiness and gratitude.

Waiting to pull out onto the road that would lead me home, I soaked up the warmth in the cab of my Frontier, and I was overwhelmed with gratitude. God’s graces were all around me – the wet, cold rain (which I love), a delicious breakfast waiting in the passenger seat, friendly staff who made my morning brighter, interesting conversation with a stranger, a strong kick of coffee, the freshly collected dozen eggs that were the whole reason I made an early morning trip in the first place, and my husband and dog waiting for me back at home. I thanked God for all of it in that moment, even the Christmas music playing on the radio station. The latter half of 2024 has been rough, with me experiencing the worst mental health crisis I’ve endured in two decades. But with God’s grace, lots of prayer, doctors, and medicine, I recovered and can see the light again. During that time, though, I had a profound growth of my faith, and I find that all my struggles were likely necessary to lead me to where I am now. During mornings like this, I can see His light reflecting in all His graces, no matter how small they may be.