Hey Friends, welcome back to the Pāosies Cafe Series! We apologize that Pāosies Cafe was closed yesterday. Some things came up and we got a bit delayed. Nonetheless, we are open today and have a new treat here at the cafe: part five of A New Hope.
Enjoy!
She walked forward not because she had all the answers, but because she believed again. Her hope returnedāreminding us that new beginnings often start at our lowest point.
Check out today’s treat:
A New Hope Pt 5 (c) 2025
Written by Saneatra Polk
Please click here if you are unable to see the video here. It will take you directly to the video. I Keep getting error codes.
Hey Friends, welcome back to the P’osies Cafe Series! We apologize that P’osies Cafe was closed yesterday. Some things came up and we got a bit delayed. Nonetheless, we are open today and have a new treat here at the cafe: part two of Mr. Daniels andHisCup of Coffee.
Enjoy!
Mr. Daniels and His Cup of Coffee: The Lost Wallet (c) 2025
But Kimberly didnāt think he was rich at all. She had watched him on numerous occasions pull out coins and count them slowly, then hand them gently over to her or one of the baristas in exchange for his routine coffee.
And today was the same. Mr. Daniels limped in, gave his usual nod and proceeded to the line. When it was time for him to order his morning coffee or shall we say daily coffee. He would sip on this one cup his entire stay. Kimberly appeared from the back with a stack of cups in her hands. āHi, Mr. Daniels, good morning!ā “How are you today?”
“I’m well, Kimberly,” he slowly replied. “I hope all is well with you, today.”
āOh, Mr. Daniels, this morning has been rough.ā
“I’m so sorry to hear that Kimberly,” Mr. Daniels empathized. “But don’t worry, things will work out just fine,” he continued.
After Mr. Daniels received his coffee. He sat down at his usual table. He set his coffee down and picked up the newspaper that was placed on the table by Kimberly earlier anticipating his arrival. While the steam rose from his coffee, he opened the newspaper to read or browse. No one knew if he read the newspaper thoroughly but he sat there quietly. Not one word.
Mr. Daniels slowly looked up at the man. In fact, everyone turned their attention to him as he came in because he was loud, a little too loud for the morning time where people had only been up for one to a few hours.
“Where is my wallet?” he repeated. “I remember having it here at the counter.”
Kimberly walked over to the cash register and Lesliana. āSir, we can surely take a look around the store right quick. Are you sure this is the last spot you had your wallet?ā asked Kimberly.
“Come on, I know when I last had my wallet.” He retorted impatiently.
The man announced that he will call the cops.
“That will be fine sir but while you do that I will continue to check the floor. Can you retrace your movements?” She asked him.
Kimberly took a deep breath and told Lesliana to help the next customer who had come in after the man. Kimberly stepped from behind the counter and began to walk around the store looking at the floors and tables.
The man turned red and demanded his wallet, his voice high and grating. Kimberly grew worried. She frantically searched for the wallet of the man with the expensive blue suit, her eyes darting under tables.
Just then, Mr. Daniels slowly rose. Every joint seemed to creak a silent protest, but he moved with quiet, deliberate determination toward the belligerent man. Mr. Daniels didn’t speak until he was right beside him, and then, he gently extended an old hand holding a black leather wallet.
The man stopped mid-sentence, his jaw hanging. “Who the hell are you?” he snarled, his eyes narrowing at the old man’s patched coat and worn shoes.
“And how did you get my wallet?”
Mr. Daniels held his gazeāa gaze that held no judgment, only patience.
“You dropped it here on the floor as you left,” Mr. Daniels stated simply. Then, his voice softened, carrying just enough weight to cut through the man’s anger. “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays foolishness. I understand that you lost your wallet, sir, but please be patient and kind.”
The man snatched the wallet back. He looked down at the soft-spoken old man, ready to unleash another loud, dismissive retort. But something in Mr. Daniel’s eyesāa depth that seemed out of place in a coffee shop, or perhaps the sheer, unruffled calmācaptivated his attention.
The man didn’t soften completely; the impatience was ingrained. Instead of arguing or shouting, the man merely gave a curt, tight nodāa visible effort at restraint.
“Right,” the buff man muttered, shoving the wallet into his inner suit pocket. He looked around the cafe, his face still flushed, then spun around and walked out the door, mumbling something under his breath.
“Thanks, Mr. Daniels,” Kimberly said with a relieved smile, watching the door swing shut.
Welcome, loves, to the Pāosies Cafe Series, a new gathering for lovers of language and narrative. Our name, a playful blend of āPoetryā and āStories,ā perfectly captures the essence of what weāre about. In this series, my best friend and fellow writer will join me at our writersā cafe with our laptops, pens and paper, and a couple of iced mochas or chai lattes. Weāll be sharing our own workāfrom whispered verse to sprawling talesāand we invite you to listen, reflect, and get lost in the power of storytelling.
It wasnāt a major coffee spot, but it was a quaint and cozy āmom and popā shop in the neighborhoodāa true staple.
Warm colors, potted Pothos and Fiddle Leaf Fig plants, and dim lantern-style light fixtures hung over some of the tables. Unique abstract artwork adorned the walls. The wood tables and chairs added to the cozy charm, complemented by faux fur throw pillows in autumn hues of yellow, orange, and red.
Some customers came in with smiles and cheerful greetings; others offered polite nods, still adjusting to the morning and mentally preparing for the day ahead.
As each customer entered, the daytime crew greeted them with warm smiles and hearty good mornings. Some even had custom greetings for their favorite regulars. But when Mr. Daniels walked through the door with a slight limp and a soft nodājust as he did every morning at 7:45 a.m. sharpāthe entire morning crew chimed in together:
āHello, Mr. Daniels.ā
And Kimberly, as always, asked,
āHow are you this morning?ā
Kimberly was one of the managers and the supervisor of the daytime crew. She had long locs and a beautiful smileāone that included both her eyes and her mouth and illuminated her rich, dark skin. Mr. Daniels often reminded her that she was beautiful and that she had the loveliest smile.
āIn life,ā he would say, āa smile from the heart and a joyful laugh are just as potent as medicine.ā
Kimberly loved when Mr. Daniels shared his wisdom or stories from his younger daysāsometimes about life, sometimes about the war. He was a sweet old man, kind and gentle, who looked fragile and poor. She would often tell the baristas to give him his change back, but he always refused. He would not take his drink if they didnāt accept his payment.
Welcome to the final post of my Persevere Series. God has been teaching me that perseverance is less about how strong I am and more about how faithful He is. Through these posts, I want to encourage you to keep going, trust His timing, and remember that even small steps count. Perseverance isnāt about perfection ā itās about leaning on Godās strength in every season, whether youāre walking, crawling, or getting back up after a fall.
Reflection
Perseverance isnāt about pretending everything is fine or ignoring the weight of our struggles. Hard times are real. Pain is real. Sometimes, just making it through the day feels impossible.
But perseverance means choosing, moment by moment, to keep moving forward, even when the road is rough. Itās leaning on Godās strength when our own runs out. And sometimes, itās allowing ourselves to be stillāto rest and rechargeāso we can rise and move forward again. We must learn when to be still and when to move, but in both to trust God.
I, too, need encouragement on long days and during hard seasons to persevereāalong with practical reminders to keep pushing. Because even in the toughest moments, Godās strength is made perfect in our weakness and it is the fuel to keep us going.
—
Here are a few practical ways we can persevere in the middle of real life:
1. Anchor in Godās Word ā Keep a verse close (on your phone, mirror, or journal) that reminds you of His promises. When your strength wavers, His Word steadies you.
2. Pray Honest Prayers ā Perseverance doesnāt mean polished prayers. Tell God when youāre weary, broken, or unsure. He hears the raw and real.
3. Take One Step at a Time ā Donāt focus on finishing the race all at once. Just take the next step today. Small faith steps still move you forward.
4. Lean on Community ā We werenāt meant to endure trials alone. Share with a trusted friend, mentor, or prayer partner who can remind you that youāre not carrying the weight by yourself.
5. Rest Without Guilt ā Rest is not giving up; itās a way of refueling so you can keep going. Rest is actually trusting Godās leadāacknowledging that His strength sustains you more than your striving. It allows you to be more focused and fruitful. Rest says you care about yourself, and about others, and about honoring God. You cannot pour from an empty cup. Rest allows you to refuel, recenter, and return renewed.
6. Break Tasks Down ā When life feels overwhelming, simplify your to-do list. Focus on one thing at a time. Progress in pieces still moves you forward.
7. Celebrate Small Wins ā Every bit of progress counts. Take time to acknowledge what God is helping you accomplishāeven the little things. Gratitude builds endurance.
8. Learn from Setbacks ā Donāt let mistakes, setbacks, or delays define you. Let them refine you. God often uses challenges to teach, strengthen, and redirect us toward His best.
—
Perseverance is not about denying pain, but about trusting that God is still at work in the middle of it.
Scripture
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.ā ā Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Prayer
Father God, Thank You for being our strength when we are weak. Help us to persevereānot with fake smiles, or empty words, or in our own strength, nor for the sake of a pat on the back for how much we can endureābut with genuine faith rooted in Your promises. And with Your wisdom and humility, Lord. Grant us wisdom to rest when we need to, courage to take the next step, and grace to trust that You are with us through it all. In Jesusā name, Amen.
Accompanying Video:
I hope you enjoyed this series! What is one take away from this series you will apply to your everyday journey?
Welcome, loves, to the Pāosies Cafe Series, a new gathering for lovers of language and narrative. Our name, a playful blend of āPoetryā and āStories,ā perfectly captures the essence of what weāre about. In this series, my best friend and fellow writer will join me at our writersā cafe with our laptops, pens and paper, and a couple of iced mochas or chai lattes. Weāll be sharing our own workāfrom whispered verse to sprawling talesāand we invite you to listen, reflect, and get lost in the power of storytelling.
Sometimes the hardest part of the journey is remembering who you are. Even when doubt calls your name, trust the path that keeps pulling you forward.
Please join us today for part 3 of A New Hope within the P’osies Cafe Series!!!!
A New Hope pt 3 (c) 2025
Written by Saneatra Polk
Please click above if the video does not automatically display.
Welcome, loves, to the Pāosies Cafe Series, a new gathering for lovers of language and narrative. Our name, a playful blend of āPoetryā and āStories,ā perfectly captures the essence of what weāre about. In this series, my best friend and fellow writer will join me at our writersā cafe with our laptops, pens and paper, and a couple of iced mochas or chai lattes. Weāll be sharing our own workāfrom whispered verse to sprawling talesāand we invite you to listen, reflect, and get lost in the power of storytelling.
Today, we have a fresh new poem being served. Grab your tea or coffee, come on in and enjoy!
Smile & Grace (c) 2025
Written By Tannika Nikeya
Love how you walk by people, acknowledging them with a warm smileālike chai tea’s warm embrace, silently sharing with them Godās amazing grace.
But I notice there is one person who doesnāt receive as many of those smiles, treated as though she were a forgotten child. Can she, too, have that same patience and mercy?
Can you give her that same smileā not just with your mouth, but with your eyes?
Or will the little girl in her continue to feel despised, less than, unseen, unheard, unworthy of love?
Give her your attention Receive His grace His mercy that His unfailing love will trace.
Let her know you see her. Donāt allow her to shrink or hide. Stop, embrace her, and let her smile shine on the inside.
What small act of kindness could you offer today to someoneās unseen heartā¦ and even your own? š
Welcome to my Persevere Series. God has been teaching me that perseverance is less about how strong I am and more about how faithful He is. Through these posts, I want to encourage you to keep going, trust His timing, and remember that even small steps count. Perseverance isnāt about perfection ā itās about leaning on Godās strength in every season, whether youāre walking, crawling, or getting back up after a fall.
Reflection:
Have you ever tried to run for a bus with your hands full, hoping nothing spills or falls out of your bag? I have, and sometimes I would miss the bus altogether. Sometimes it was because I didnāt leave on time, and other times because the bus arrived earlier than expected. But one thing Iāve noticed: the run is always easier when Iām carrying less.
Thatās how it is in life and in our faith. When weāre weighed down by stress, fear, distractions, worriesāor even sināthose weights slow us down. They drain our motivation. They cloud our focus. They make it hard to obey God, to see clearly, and to walk unashamed.
But thank God for Jesus! When we pause and place our burdens in the hands of the loving Savior, the One who both initiates and perfects our faith, He gives us the strength to persevere. He doesnāt just help us carry the load, He offers us an exchange: His yoke for ours. And His is easy, His burden is light.
If you havenāt yet made Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior, I encourage you to do so today. I can testify that even in lifeās storms, He has never left me nor forsaken me. He is always near, ready to help and comfort us.
Scripture:
Hebrews 12:1ā2 (NLT)
āTherefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now, He is seated in the place of honor beside Godās throne.ā
Prayer:
Father God, Forgive us for holding onto what Youāve asked us to release. Forgive us for the sin that so easily entangles us. Thank You for Your mercy, for Your forgiveness, and for Your unfailing love. Thank You for the grace that enables us to run with endurance the race Youāve set before us. Help us fix our eyes on Jesus, never ashamed to bring Him every concern of our hearts. In Jesusā name, Amen.
Welcome, loves, to the P’osies Cafe Series, a new gathering for lovers of language and narrative. Our name, a playful blend of “Poetry” and “Stories,” perfectly captures the essence of what we’re about. In this series, my best friend and fellow writer will join me at our writersā cafe with our laptops, pens and paper, and a couple of iced mochas or chai lattes. We’ll be sharing our own workāfrom whispered verse to sprawling talesāand we invite you to listen, reflect, and get lost in the power of storytelling. Think of this as your favorite local cafe, but instead of coffee, the aroma is of fresh ink and well-worn pages. Pull up a chair, get comfortable, and let’s get started. We’re thrilled you’re here.
Today at the P’osies Cafe, we have a poem titled Invisible Tears (c) 2025, written by Tannika Nikeya. Without further ado:
With every invisible tear, she poured out her pain, letting their silence disappear within the drops of the rain. Her eyes filled with disappointment, her heart with grief, she promised the little girl within, one day she’d find relief.
She cradled her dreams in her arms, But with the blink of an eye, they disappeared. With every step she took, she feared, until the fog finally cleared. Sometimes victory waited on the other side, at other times, there was none. She felt stuck, yearning for things time could not give. She began to shrink back when it was her time to live.
But in the midst of it all, her tears reached her Father’s heart. He collected each one from the start. He hovered over her like a drone, when she was in crowded rooms and still felt alone.
He was near, closer than her shadow and her breath. He revived her and gave her life when she wanted to choose death.
When her heart was shattered, And she believed the lie she didn’t matter, when she felt overwhelmed and not good enough, when things get tough, and her sight nags her so, her father reminds her to walk by faith, to be still, and to know That He is God.
He helps her to grow and to heal, and yet, still, He helps her to grieve the self she left behind, and the losses she endures, no matter how hard she grinds. The “what if it never,” And the decisions far from clever, Far from wisdom.
Yet His words and His grace strengthen her faith. Because as complex as life is, her future will still be great. Her destiny fulfilled, She will be all that her younger self could never imagine, and the Father will help her understand it is because He can and He will.
And she will believe– wholeheartedly. Nothing lost. Nothing late. She’s been through hell, but she will be alright, because her Father is great.
He is faithful and trustworthy. He will never let her down. His word does not return to Him void. In it, truth can be found.
And she will believe,
wholeheartedly.
Accompanying Video:
Which line of this poem speaks most to your heart today?
Welcome to my Persevere Series. God has been teaching me that perseverance is less about how strong I am and more about how faithful He is. Through these posts, I want to encourage you to keep going, trust His timing, and remember that even small steps count. Perseverance isnāt about perfection ā itās about leaning on Godās strength in every season, whether youāre walking, crawling, or rising again.
Reflection
I donāt know if Iāve defined āpersevereā in our previous Persevere Series posts, but itās crucial to understand what it means. According to Google, persevere means āto continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success.”
Perseverance looks like crawling in faith, taking one day at a time, abandoning perfection, and trusting God. It is leaning into His wisdom, doing things in His strength, and walking in His grace.
But perseverance isnāt always about pushing through, especially when you are sick, overworked, or struggling mentally and spiritually. Sometimes, God calls us to be still and know that He is God. Perseverance can also mean resting in His wisdom and powerāallowing Him to restore us, as He did for Elijah (1 Kings 19:3-8). He leads us beside still waters and lets us rest in green meadows.
When God calls us to rest, it isnāt about sleeping all day, but about being intentional with your dayādoing things that bring you joy, align with your purpose, and keep you in fellowship with God, yourself, or others. It is also an invitation to abide in Him and to trust Him, even with the unknown. In that rest, He restores and replenishes usāequipping us to face another day, another victory to be won, another storm to endure, and another test to be transformed into a testimony.
Rest clears the clutter in our minds, renews our rhythm, strengthens our bodies, and refreshes our spirits. Rest even allows us to be more productiveābecause it aligns us with Godās pace, not the worldās pressure.
So, on the days you feel like you must chase perfection and stay busy, answer Godās call to rest. When boundaries, purpose, and Godās presence feel lost in the noise of busyness, pause. Be still. Let God cover you with His love, fill you with His peace, and renew you with His fellowship.
In His rest, youāll rise rejuvenatedāready to walk in purpose, live with clarity, and stand as more than a conqueror.
Scripture
āBe still, and know that I am God.ā ā Psalm 46:10
āHe makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.ā ā Psalm 23:2-3
Prayer
Father God, thank You for Your peace and Your restoration. Thank You that Your love gives me the grace to face each new day and the rest I need. Help me to abide in You as You abide in me. Show me when and how to rest. Help me lean not on my own understanding but to trust You with all my heart. Keep me from filling my days with busyness or striving to please others. Teach me to be still and know that You are God: the One who loves me beyond measure and sustains me daily. I choose to rest in the richness of Your love and provision. In Jesusā name, amen.
Welcome, loves, to the P’osies Cafe Series, a new gathering for lovers of language and narrative. Our name, a playful blend of “Poetry” and “Stories,” perfectly captures the essence of what we’re about.
In this series, my best friend, Saneatra, and fellow writer will join me at our virtual writersā cafe with our laptops, pens, and paper, and a couple of iced mochas or chai lattes.
We’ll be sharing our own workāfrom whispered verse to sprawling talesāand we invite you to listen, reflect, and get lost in the power of storytelling.
Think of this as your favorite local cafe, but instead of coffee, the aroma is of fresh ink and well-worn pages. Pull up a chair, get comfortable, and let’s get started. We’re thrilled you’re here.
Stay tuned for our first work of this series!!! In the meantime, check out my bestie on Facebook and Instagram: Saneatra polk as well as on TikTok, Saneatrap.
Tannika Nikeya 