Fika (fee'-kuh) – a Scandinavian custom of slowing down to enjoy a moment with friends and loved ones over coffee and a sweet treat.

I first learned about this charming Scandinavian custom of fika through Norwegian missionary friends in Madagascar. Fika is deemed so important to Scandinavian daily life that it can be observed at any time of day. Our Norwegian friends invited my friend Bonnie and me to join them one day for their mid-morning fika, which was part party and part coffee break.

I've since appropriated the idea of fika, adapting it to become an occasional fun activity here in my retirement community. I make a Scandinavian treat, and others contribute by bringing baked items that they enjoy making. Cardamom buns are a fika favourite, but there are many delightful Scandinavian treats to sample. We've so far enjoyed Fika in the Garden on a beautiful early summer day in June, Fika in the Fall with autumn treats, and February Fika to celebrate Valentine's Day.

We who love the Lord can also enjoy a sort of spiritual fika through fellowship with fellow believers. It's good to sit down with a friend and talk about spiritual things over a cup of coffee. Not only do we encourage one another as we share our thoughts and prayers, but it also honours and pleases God when we talk about Him.

Malachi 3:16 – Then those who feared and loved the Lord spoke often of him to each other. And he had a Book of Remembrance drawn up in which he recorded the names of those who feared him and loved to think about him. (TLB)

We can also have a fika with God, spending time with Him, remembering what He has done, thanking Him for our many blessings, talking over with Him our future hopes and dreams, enjoying the beauty of the world around us, and turning our burdens over to Him. Quiet times with God like this help to deepen our faith and strengthen our bond with Him.

Psalm 46:10a – Be still, and know that I am God! (NLT)

This time of quiet reflection can then give us the impetus to get up and continue on with the tasks ahead of us. Just as a coffee break helps to carry us through a busy day of work, so a spiritual fika helps to give the balance of quiet times interspersed with the mundane activities of daily life.

Let's think about times and ways to slow down to enjoy a spiritual fika, either with friends or with God — or both — in a quiet, meditative place. Such a time is refreshing and rejuvenating. It's good for the soul!

Prayer: Dear loving heavenly Father, we know that it pleases You when we make You part of our everyday life. May we frequently take time to stop our busy activities and think about You and Your part in our lives. Help us to slow down and enjoy these moments with friends — and with You. Amen.