Goodness Weekly 7.20.26
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”
—Aesop
WHAT’S GOOD
One Another Coffee is Back Open!
We are very happy to announce that One Another Coffee has reopened following necessary repairs to the A/C. We’ll see you over an iced drink at the trailer, open daily!
A Closer Look
Elizabeth Stephens, Managing Director, Sunset Ridge Church & Collective
There I was, eye to eye with...something.
I was about eight feet underwater, snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters of the Bahamas, when I noticed two enormous black eyes staring directly back at me.
I don't typically lose my cool in tense situations, but this had me pretty unsettled. I was suddenly reminded that eight feet underwater is sea creature territory, not mine.
I screamed into my snorkel mask.
My husband heard me and swam over. I frantically pointed toward the dark opening in the coral.
"What IS that?"
He dove down for a closer look and surfaced just as surprised as I was. That was not the reaction I expected from my Eagle Scout, nature-loving, adventure-seeking husband. If he was concerned, I definitely was.
After a minute, curiosity got the better of me. I took a deep breath, dove back down, and looked more carefully into the little coral cave.
I waited and waited to see if this terrifying creature of the dark would emerge. Spoiler alert, it did and the mysterious creature staring back at me was...
...a puffer fish.
Not a tiny, cartoonish puffer fish—a giant one, easily nine or ten pounds. (For reference, that's about the size of the largest one ever caught in that area.) And despite its intimidating appearance, it was far more interested in hiding than in bothering me.
I watched as it cautiously emerged from its cave and chuckled to myself. It scooted through the water with its tiny fins like a little motorboat, making its way to another hiding place.
It was still enormous, but it wasn't scary anymore.
In fact, it was almost...cute.
It made me think about how often fear thrives in the unknown. We fill in the gaps with our imagination, assuming the worst about people, situations, conversations, or the future. But when we slow down long enough to really see what's in front of us—to bring it into the light—we often discover it isn't nearly as frightening as we imagined.
Sometimes all that's needed is a closer look.
Coming Up…
Daily, NYX Yoga & Fitness
Daily, One Another Coffee
Wednesdays, 11 AM - 1:30 PM, Open Studio Painting
Wednesdays, Mission Compost Pick Up
Wednesdays-Sundays, Scott’s Pizza, Charis Park
Saturdays, 9 AM - 1 PM, Sunset Ridge Farmers Market, Charis Park
Sundays, Worship at 9 AM and 11 AM, Sunset Ridge Church
Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:30 - 7:30 PM, Garden Club, Charis Park, Community coming together to care for Charis Park. Welcome to all ages—come visit with neighbors while we tend to the gardens & clean our communal spaces.
Saturday, July 25, 9 AM - 1 PM, Sunset Ridge Farmers Market, Mercado + De Boca En Boca (Bilingual Storytime + Activities), Charis Park
Friday, July 31, 7 - 9:30 PM, Full Moon Friday, Charis Park
Friday, August 14, 5 - 9 PM, Parents’ Night Out, Sunset Ridge Church, Open to kids up to 11, Register here
Event Rentals - Interested in hosting your event at Charis Park or in our facilities? Please email rentals@sunset-ridge.org
Community Partners: For updated schedules and events please follow One Another Coffee, Sunset Ridge Farmers Market, NYX Wellness, Scott’s Pizza, Mission Compost, Sprouts School, Good Acres, and Community First Food Pantry.
