Coffee
Coffee is such an everyday word. We buy it, make it, smell it, and drink it. The variety of ways it is produced is off the charts and each of us have different preferences, which is a reminder that we all are made up to be a one of a kind creation, with likes and dislikes. And for those of you who don’t drink coffee, who choose their warm comforting beverage to be a delightful cup of tea instead, the following analogy may apply to you too.
There is something soothing about a morning wake up call with coffee. I used to never drink coffee except on a date at the end of dinner with my husband. But I loved the smell and eventually years later, I began to try it in the mornings with lots of flavored creamer to tone down the flavor. Eventually I went on to drink it strong, dark and pure. Still do.
One morning recently, I was washing a few dishes by hand because there were not enough of them to put in the dishwasher. A couple of them being coffee cups. And as I cleaned them I realized that no matter how hard I scrubbed or how much soap I used, there was still a leftover stain towards the bottom of the mug that refused to be removed. And I started thinking....
All of us have experienced pain, some that just tear the bottom out of our hearts, while others are hurts that skim the surface. Pain comes from what was once a warm and comfortable enjoyable status that has been replaced by an empty cup of stained memories. When our everyday circumstances change and our worlds are turned upside down, either abruptly or over a period of time, we are left with the stain of sadness, brokenness and hurt that refuses to be washed away. We can try to scrub that pain away but no matter what we do the hurt still lingers. I have learned by my experience that with time, if I truly reach out to God through prayer and trust him, God tends to soothe the leftover stain that pain had left behind. In time, He fills our cup with yet another warm set of blessings that override and lightens the darkened ring of hurt that left its mark.
Our lives are built on our experiences. The cups of laughter, joys, trials and hurdles that we are given to process, enjoy, and endure are incorporated into our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs that make us who we are. Just like a good cup of coffee that has been slowly brewed, we are being brewed into God's formidable image that only he can foresee. He alone has the power to gently transform us for HIs glory as we trust him and faithfully follow his lead.
Just as we have varied preferences, God has made us to have varied purposes and personalities to be used for the glory of his kingdom. And to make us rich in our faith, and humble in our
walk he allows pain to be a part of his workmanship. For the stains of pain bring us closer to our true need for a Savior, a comforter and yes, a friend. When your cup is empty and the joy and peaceful countenance of the brew is finished…and the stain remains, remember that a new day is coming and once again God will fill your cup with his promises, his unconditional love, his strength, comfort and his continued presence.
For God is good! May we worship him and praise him and thank him daily for his goodness and grace. And know that as God is brewing us for his glory, his timing is perfect and nothing comes before us that he has not allowed for his ultimate good.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Praise God wherever you are, or whatever situation He has allowed you to be in....His glory will shine through!
