Skip to main content

Coffee with Jesus

 Someone asked me the other day why I get up so early in the morning. Is it a choice? “You set your alarm for 5:00am?” I think the implication was there really wasn’t a reason for it. I don’t have an outside job to get to. I don’t have kiddos at home that require getting fed and sent off to school. So, why the urgency to get on with the day?

 I explained my reasoning and how it had become a habit which has now developed into a lifestyle. It hadn’t always been this way. In fact, I remember sleeping in until my husband kissed me good bye in the morning on his way to work. I had even bought him a little pop up light for his sock drawer so he wouldn’t wake me with the over head light while trying to match up his socks. He still had a few failures that he would notice midday with unmatched socks. 

 I learned to enjoy mornings several years ago when I did have to get to work early. I love watching the sunrise and the world wake up. There is just something about the hope in a brand new day. I especially loved serving people coffee in the wee hours at Starbucks when I worked there. 

 But really what began as a habit of early to bed early to rise began when my relationship with Jesus started. I wanted to truly get to know Him. We also had a lovable yellow lab at the time and she would wake me to eat. One day I found myself not wanted to go back to bed but drawn into our office and on my bookshelf sat my Bible that had barely been cracked. I picked it up for the first time and randomly opened it. God showed Himself to me that day but also revealed where my heart was. I asked Him to change me that morning and I committed to spending my first waking hour with Him daily from there on out.




 So, began my journey of coffee with Jesus. I remember when my alarm would go off. I was excited and couldn’t wait to hear what He had to say and to show me. I prayed that He would help me to apply it to my life and He did. I marked all over in my bible and found myself going back to it throughout the day. I can say with confidence that this one spiritual discipline has impacted my life more than anything else. 

 Although the newness over the years has worn off. I am still committed to setting my alarm to have coffee with Jesus. Interruptions happen, whether that be, my husband gets up and joins me, the coffee pot malfunctions or Annie pukes on the carpet. life happens and things will come up because Satan doesn’t want me spending time in my bible and praying. There are days, when I feel like I am simply going through the motions and don’t “feel” the presence of God. But that doesn’t mean He isn’t there. 

 When I get alone with Him first thing, it sets my heart and attitude in the right place for the day. It helps to take the focus off of myself and my agenda and puts it on God and what He would have for me today. Beginning with serving my husband with a grateful heart and helping him to get off to a great start of his day. Oh, it may shift by noon or even 9:00 am but I love how this discipline has become not just a habit but a lifestyle. I look forward to the early mornings with Jesus and my coffee. 

 For me, it is like anything else in life. Anything worth achieving takes discipline. If I want to have a finished product in my writing I have to schedule time, open up my laptop and write. I can’t wait until I feel like it. If I want those clothes in my closet to fit I need to commit to cleaning up my eating habits and get to my exercise group. And if I truly want to see a heart transformation I need to spend time with the only One who is able to make that happen. 

Pressing On 


Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path psalm 119:105 

 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26


Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Mark 1:35




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

RBJ and a Barf Bag

  It’s been thirty years since I got breast implants. Having birthed and nursed two babies my boobs were left looking like tube socks sporting tennis balls in each one dangling from my chest. At twenty-eight years old, living in the world that put so much importance on outward appearance, I thought that I needed enhancement to feel better about myself. Looking back, maybe it did serve its purpose for a while. But, I was never truly comfortable with them. They were larger than I wanted and I’m fairly modest so I don’t like the attention I thought they brought in my younger years. Shopping for clothes, especially swimsuits has always been a challenge for me. All those cute summer dresses made me look pregnant and bras were very uncomfortable. I’m not anti-plastic surgery, implants or whatever. I’m just older and in a different stage in life and view things from a more Godly perspective now that I seek His ways for my life. I’ve known for several years that the implants in my body nee...
5 comments
Read more

Cool Mornings and Coyotes

  This is the time of year we all sing praises for living in Arizona. Cool enough in the morning and evenings to call for a light jacket and/or patio heater while the perfect temp midday allows doors and windows to be open letting in the fresh air. Ah, Spring! It also makes for a great morning since the sun comes up a little earlier. Annie loves it too since I can once again, take her with me on an early morning run.   I’m still somewhat of a chicken to run in the dark alone even with her. But these crisp mornings have been great and sunrises are my favorite. So, off we went the other day just as the sun was rising.   We did our typical run through the neighbor that has become so familiar to not only me but Annie as well. She even has the same spots to relieve herself. She likes to lead and I like to let her think she is, but I do have her on somewhat of a short leash. Mostly, because she is stronger than I am and I really don’t want any more road rash than she’s been...
4 comments
Read more

Building Bridges

I have a thing about bridges. I love them. I like old rustic bridges no matter how large or small. I like creaky  wooden ones. I like gigantic, historical bridges that connect big cities to quaint little towns. I like walking bridges that get me across a small body of water or over steep, rocky terrain. There is just something about a bridge to me, that says, "Come over, there is something really cool over here and it's worth the trip". Something so much so, that a bridge was necessary and someone invested their time and money to build it. I remember a few years ago on our last trip to San Francisco. We rented bikes and rode across the Golden Gate Bridge. It was amazing! When we got to the other side we were in a quaint little town called Sausalito . We sat outside near the water, in a little cafe and had lunch. The view of the bay was entirely different from this point of view. Not only that you could see the San Francisco skyline and the whole city itself. Definitely wo...
4 comments
Read more