October’s word is Soothe.
Sometimes soothing looks like a warm drink and a good book. Sometimes it’s taking a few minutes to care for yourself in a way you’ve been putting off.
And sometimes it’s remembering that you don’t have to figure everything out on your own.
We spend so much time trying to anticipate what comes next, make the right decisions, and keep all the pieces of life moving in the right direction. It can be tiring trying to see around every corner.
This week, let’s enjoy a few small comforts and remember that we can ask God to guide us through the things we cannot yet see.
Something to Sip
Vanilla Rooibos Latte
Rooibos has a naturally warm, slightly sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with vanilla. This is a cozy afternoon drink for when you want something comforting without another cup of coffee.
You'll need:
1 rooibos tea bag
¾ cup hot water
¼ cup warm milk of your choice
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
A little honey, if desired
A pinch of cinnamon
To make it:
Steep the tea in hot water for 5–7 minutes. Remove the tea bag, then stir in the vanilla and warm milk. Sweeten with honey if you like, and finish with a little cinnamon.
Take your mug somewhere comfortable and enjoy it while it's warm. No need to turn this into a whole production. Sometimes a familiar mug and a few unhurried sips are just right.
Something to Read
A Little Escape Between the Pages
There’s something lovely about opening a book and letting yourself be carried into another world for a while.
I've gathered a few recommendations through BookFunnel for you this month. Whether you're in the mood for a cozy story, a touch of mystery, or something that makes you curious about what happens next, I hope you'll find a new favorite among them.
Explore this month's BookFunnel recommendations:
New Beginnings - Free Women's Fiction Books
Searching for a Christmas romance?
Make yourself a cup of tea, settle in, and read a few pages simply because you want to.
Not everything needs to have a purpose beyond enjoyment.
Something to Make
Coffee & Honey Hand Scrub
There’s something about the smell of coffee that makes an ordinary morning feel a little more inviting. And while your coffee is brewing, you can set aside a tiny bit of that cozy goodness for a simple hand-care ritual.
You'll need:
1 teaspoon finely ground coffee
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon olive oil or sweet almond oil
To make it:
Stir everything together in a small bowl until you have a soft, slightly grainy mixture.
Over a sink, gently massage a small amount over damp hands for about 15–20 seconds. Use very light pressure, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry. Finish with your favorite hand cream.
Make this fresh for one use, and don't store the leftovers.
A little note for sensitive hands: Coffee grounds can be rough on delicate skin, even when finely ground. If your hands are dry, cracked, or irritated, skip the scrub and simply massage in a little hand cream or a few drops of your favorite skin-friendly oil instead.
And if you're wondering whether you can use the leftover coffee from your morning cup, save the wet grounds for the compost. For this recipe, fresh, finely ground coffee is the better choice.
A little coffee scent, a few minutes of care, and nothing complicated.
That's our kind of October ritual.
Something to Remember
Guided Along the Way
“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”
— Psalm 32:8 (KJV)
I love the reassurance tucked into this verse.
God doesn't simply leave us to work everything out and hope we've chosen correctly. He promises instruction and guidance.
Of course, that doesn't mean we'll always know exactly what to do next. Sometimes we have to make a decision without knowing how everything will turn out. Sometimes the path becomes clear one step at a time.
But we don't have to confuse not knowing everything with being completely on our own.
Maybe you're facing a decision. Maybe you're trying to work out what this season of life needs from you. Or perhaps you're simply wondering how to move forward when you can't see very far ahead.
You can bring those questions to God.
Take a few moments with these prompts:
Where in my life am I wishing I could see further ahead?
What decision or uncertainty have I been trying to work out entirely on my own?
What might it look like to seek God's guidance in this situation?
Is there one small, faithful step I can take today without needing to know the whole path?
You don't have to map out the entire future today.
You can pray, seek wisdom in Scripture, ask for wise counsel, and pay attention to the next right step.
Sometimes guidance comes gradually. Sometimes we need to be patient while we wait for clarity.
Either way, we can keep turning toward the One who sees what we cannot.
A Little Soothe for the Week
This week, notice where you're trying to get ahead of yourself.
Maybe you're worrying about a decision that hasn't arrived yet. Maybe you're trying to predict how something will turn out. Maybe you're carrying a question that doesn't have an answer today.
When you notice it, pause and ask God for wisdom.
Then return to the small things in front of you: the cup you're holding, the person you're caring for, the task you can do today, the moment you're actually living.
You don't need to know the whole story to take the next step.
And you don't have to walk the path alone.
Until next time,
Carrie
P.S. If you try the orange honey sugar scrub, I'd love to know! Are you a citrus-scent person, or do you prefer the warmer scents of autumn?