Mmmmm, coffee....

I am not a coffee junkie by any means, but I do anticipate my morning cup-'o-joe (or two) with a bit of jubilation.  For me the smell of a brewing pot of coffee gently nudging me awake is better than any alarm clock ever invented.  The aroma created by the piping hot water mixing with the dark grounds to brew the perfect bold and tantalizing morning treat...it's what starts my day off right!  Once I've taken my first sip of java then I can say, "Bring on the day."

As I was practicing my daily coffee ritual this morning (standing by the coffee machine waiting... waiting...) I felt God speaking to my heart, "This is how I want you to view your time with me."  Whoa, what?!  Hey, I'm just waiting for coffee here, how does that compare to my desire or willingness to spend time with God?  Oh, no, conviction set in and I had to be brutally honest with myself, I didn't relish my time with God anywhere near as much as my morning caffeine addiction.

God wants to be the first thing we think about in the morning, the last thing we think about at night, and a constant part of our daily lives.  Why shouldn't He be, He is our Creator; our Father; our Redeemer; our Provider; our Peace; our Shelter; our Protector; our Strength; our Sustenance; and much more.  Spending time with God at the beginning of each day should be my main focus even before I reach for my first cup of coffee.  By focusing on Him and giving Him first priority this does not only put me in a better frame of mind, it helps me to see things through His eyes, to know and understand that He guides and directs my life, Psalms 37:23 says, "The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him."

God used my craving for my morning coffee as an illustration to remind me that I need to re-evaluate my priorities and crave for Him with as much if not more gusto.  No amount of caffeine will ever provide me with the energy and the stamina and the ability to seize the day than reading God's Word, listening to Him, and allowing Him to fill me with His Spirit.

Thank you, Father, that you use even the simplest things like a cup of coffee to draw us closer to you.  I confess that I have lacked in my pursuit of a devotional and quite time with you and make a conscious decision to making my time with you the top priority in my life.  Your love and graciousness abounds far more than I could ever hope for or imagine and I am thankful for it.  Amen.

My entry for:



"Constantly moving forward, tripping over occasionally."

How would you describe your life in six words?

Dreamin'

When I was younger I used to have all kinds of dreams.  I would dream I was a famous actor or singer receiving applauds and accolades for my spectacular performances.  I used to dream I was a renowned doctor sought after by many to save lives and administer healing.  I would dream I was a powerful business person wheeling and dealing; admired and respected for securing multi-million dollar deals.  I dreamed I was a talented writer touching my readers with my prose so that they couldn't wait to read my next masterpiece.

Yes, these were all fabulous dreams and all very different as to vocation and talent; however, the one thing these dreams all had in common was the recognition, the prestige, the acceptance I associated with them.  You see, my greatest dream was to be loved, accepted; noticed.  Don't get me wrong I grew up with two parents who I knew loved me and my siblings; this is not the kind of love I am talking about.  We all have a longing to fit, to matter, to feel approved.  This stems more from a natural internal void than from external things such as upbringing or home life or lack thereof.  This is the God-sized hole in each and every one of us that can only be filled by His presence in our lives.

Although I haven’t accomplished the dreams I had for myself as a child, (well, I like to think that writing is still an option) my dream of being loved completely was fulfilled the day I accepted Christ into my life.  In my surrender to him, he has instilled in me new dreams: to make him the center of my life and marriage; to have my children and their children live for Christ; to be used to share his message and touch others for his recognition and acceptance and not my own.

Oh, I still have dreams for my life, I still dream of being a writer; I am currently working toward my dream of completing my college education; and I dream of going to Paris.  The difference now is that these dreams, whether accomplished or not, do not define my self-worth, I have found my significance in Christ.

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

(Psalm 37:4)