1. Coffee

People tend to have their comfort foods; well, coffee is my comfort drink. There is something about coffee that causes me to feel like everything is right in the world. The smell alone tingles my senses and warms my soul. It’s my de-stressor and sometimes my crutch. It’s a drink that I’ve shared many conversations over, welcomed people into my home with, and have used to just sit and take a break.

2. Breakfast

I love the feeling I get when I can smell breakfast cooking. I immediately feel hungry when I awake in the morning, so breakfast is one of the first things I look forward to. After learning that it is the most important meal of the day, I started putting more thought into it. Instead of just grabbing a bagel and running out the door, I have made time to make oatmeal and have some fruit or make eggs. Having a quality breakfast nourishes my soul and prepares me for the day; it’s something that I look forward to every morning.

3. Conversations

Whether it be a funny, serious, witty or casual conversation, I love having the kind of conversations with people that express and expose the unique relationship that I have with them. My favorite are the ones that I can really be myself, when I feel understood and heard by the person I am sharing with. Making the time to have real, heart to heart conversations are one of the things in life I treasure dearly.

4. Sunshine

I love to take a walks and feel the warmth of the sun on my face. It may just be the vitamin D talking, but I definitely feel like I have more of a skip in my step on a sunny day. I enjoy looking up with my eyes closed, and I feel as if the sun is smiling down on me. Sunshine is just one of those simple things I thank God for every time I experience it.

5. Writing

I used to write detective stories about my hamster when I was young, and keep my friends in suspense with my mystery novels when I was a teen. Now I use my writing to express to others that having a relationship with God can be a fun adventure too!  For as long as I can remember, I have been filling up journals with words. I haven’t only used my writing to tell stories, but also as a tool to connect with God. Through my writing, I have had many conversations with God, sorting through life changes, circumstances, successes, and trials. It’s a gift that I know God has given me, and one that I am very grateful for.

Melissa Nichols is a lover of all things vintage, lace, or birds. Writing being her passion, she does it as often as she can, even if it’s just filling up a journal full or words and memories. She considers Jesus Christ her friend and loves to speak to him in a familiar tone and share thoughts and ideas with Him throughout her day. She married her best friend three years ago, and they live in a suburban apartment in beautiful Oregon with their two cats: Maizy and Simba. She would love to write a book one day, but for now she is content hearing God whisper to her soul, and recounting the words on pages, one word at a time. To read more of her writing, check out her blog.