In the distance a man is stopped at a crosswalk. As he waits he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a pack of cigarettes and proceeds to light one. Touching it to his mouth he takes drag, as he exhales the light turns green and he enters the intersection. The smoke from his cigarette lingers briefly. When I reach the intersection, I catch a hint of its scent. Instantly, I am whisked away to places and times nearly forgotten, if not for these subtle reminders.
I walked into a used bookstore the other day. The musty smell of dusty books hit me. I pause, close my eyes and when I open them I am eight years old. It’s raining and the Burbank Public Library stands majestically between my school and my home. Rather, than continue home in the pouring rain I slip inside, the scent of the books hits me. I want to read, I want to read every book in that library. There is just one problem, I don’t know how. Whatever sort of learning disability I had growing up prevented me from doing the one thing I desperately desired. That day, I walked through the library, through the sense smell, it was like I was reading every page. Through my imagination the wonders unfolded with every turn.
Not long ago I made pumpkin pancakes. It was my mom’s recipe, although I am sure it’s not a secret, I tell no one. As I mix and pour I can smell the cinnamon and the nutmeg and the vanilla. my mom is there and she is humming a melody soft and sweet. “Then sings my soul. My Savior God to Thee. How great Thou art, How great Thou art.” The pancakes are ready and she burst into song to let the family know. “Oh I’m feeling mighty fine!“
“WELL, I WOKE UP THIS MORNING FEELING FINE. I WOKE UP WITH HEAVEN ON MY MIND. I WOKE UP WITH JOY IN MY SOUL. FOR I KNEW MY LORD HAD CONTROL. AND I KNEW I WAS WALKING IN THE LIGHT. FOR I’D BEEN ON MY KNEES IN THE NIGHT. AND I PRAYED ‘TIL THE LORD GAVE ME SIGHT AND NOW I’M FEELING MIGHTY FINE.”
Coffee is brewing, I can hear the water perking through the small black machine on my counter. The smell of the coffee fills the room and calls to my palate. The aroma stirs in me a passion for the day, for life even. I wait with anticipation, what will today bring? Whatever it is, I am sure of one thing. It will either whisk me away to a time long ago. Or it will plant a seed to be remembered years down the line.
**This blog was originally posted on December 6, 2011, at 3:15 pm Alaska Time as part of my “Coffee? Yes, Please!” Blog. Since i can’t sit in a coffee shop at the moment with the nation’s response to the covid19 virus, i thought i would get all retro and nostalgic, with this blast from the past, memory lane, post! i hope you enjoy a look at my coffee shop life.**
i think it’s funny how anytime i want to go someplace downtown i will say, “Hi Galaxy” (that’s my phone). She reply’s, “At your service cj,” i laugh every time. i will then say, “Navigate to ____________” and she will proceed to give me directions and they usually always go like this, “continue down dewberry and turn right onto 88th, stay on 88th and continue onto Northwood, turn right onto Raspberry and take the Minnesota North on-ramp. Turn right onto Todor, turn left onto C st. It’s at this point in the trip that it changes, today i turned right onto Benson. i like to think about our “navigation” to heaven. There are a few steps that are for everyone, and it never changes; however, there is a point in the journey that it becomes very individual as each person’s personal relationship is different. Of course, the destination is the same, but for some our journey may cross other bridges and go down other roads as we each struggle with different issues and God works in us in His timing and as long as we continue to listen to the GPS (God’s Providing Spirit).
If i make a wrong turn on my journey, my phone says, “recalculating,” and then from that point gets me back on track, if i follow its instruction. Sometimes i have made such a wrong turn that it simply says, “Turn around when possible.” God is that way too, sometimes i mess up, and from that point, He simply recalculates (in away), taking my errors into account and redirects me redeeming the error for His glory. Other times He simply says, “Turn around,” which is code for “repent,” which means to turn from sin, literally to turn around from the error of my ways.
i walked into Cafe Felix this afternoon and was greeted at the door by statues, Hindu, Buddhist, and others, each one staring at me. i caught myself staring back, and then from behind the counter, the clerk said, “Can i help you?” i wondered if he could, was I in the wrong place? i thought. Catching my thoughts, i saw from the corner the cafe part of this establishment. i said, “Nope, i see it now, thank you, though,” and with a smile, i turned into Cafe Felix.
i walked up to the counter, the barista greeting me with a warm smile asked if she could help me (i must really have looked lost). i asked for a menu, ordered an americano and a grilled cheese, the sandwich came with feta, cheddar, tomato, and bacon, and was super yummy! Served with tortilla chips and salsa…tortilla chips seem to be the chip of choice for Cafes in Anchorage. The coffee was exceptional, an organic Brazilian blend, smooth and not bitter in the least bit with an earthy flavor. The room is arranged like a thrift store exploded with different tables and chairs and table cloths. In the center of the room, four chairs around a gas wood stove and in the corner a small stage for open mic night or like events.
The internet was down, so i tried yet another feature of my galaxy phone, wifi hotspot. Excellent! As i sat and watched people come and go, there is a large verity of clientele, but i had a feeling that they each shared a common understanding of where they were as opposed to me. Still a bit confused, was it the eclectic blend of music playing? Literally from Bluegrass, Country, Frank Sinatra, Top 40, and Christmas music…what? My ears didn’t know what to think. Or was my confusion the result of the potpourri explosion that occurred? Or incense or maybe the scented candles? Either way, the smells mixed with coffee and grilled cheese confused me, i am sure. As the place cleared out and i really began to think i was reminded of my GPS.
God’s Providing Spirit. This place, as i thought about it, would be an excellent location for a coffee with Jesus meeting. As i prepare to launch several options during the week, this place has won (at least for the moment) a spot on the circuit. I don’t think it was an accident that i found this place but rather on purpose. When Paul saw the many altars in Athens, he didn’t run away, he went into the heart of it and proclaimed the Truth. Everyone’s journey must start with, believing Jesus died for them, ask for forgiveness, accepting the gift of salvation, repenting of their sin and begin to walk in a manner that is pleasing to God. Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything i have commanded you. And surely i am with you always, to the very end of the age.” So why not take the message into the heart of a place that has many altars to other gods? Yes, i think i will.
**For those wondering, Cafe Felix received 4 out of 5 coffee mugs. ☕️☕️☕️☕️
The Way of the Rabbi 