I had a coffee nook some years ago. I LOVED IT! My favorite place to visit first thing in the morning was this little spot in my kitchen. Half awake with blurry eyes and a groggy brain, my slippers dragged me toward the coffee nook. And much as I’d like, my French Press didn’t make coffee on its own. So, in a drowsy state, I found it’s best to wake up a bit before making coffee. All it takes is one miscalculation to ruin the coffee. Too much. Too little. Knocking it over. Forgetting cream or sugar. That’s when the coffee isn’t good.
When The Coffee Isn’t GoodTo my faithful readers: I posted a portion of these reflection years ago. Some of you may remember. Because it was appreciated, I decided to republished. However, I’m going to breathe more content into it.
Each day, we have opportunity to learn and grow. A daily, pro-active approach keeps life fresh. So, I want to share a bit more with you.
“I love my nifty silver and white personal coffee carafe. It makes a great brew every time. So, it’s dependable. Additionally, in my experience, it’s the “maker of the coffee” that creates a bad coffee experience. I did that once – well, a couple of times! But we must start at the beginning.”
Before sharing one of my tragedies – when the coffee isn’t good – it’s worth remembering how the brew is made in a personal carafe. It’s much like making a good cup of tea, if you prefer that over coffee.
“So, I’m not yet fully awake, and my morning clumsiness pushes the plunger lid off center as I place it into the carafe! The rubber, non-slip-base of the carafe hugs the counter – and the off-balance plunger pushes the top of the carafe over. I manage a panicky, “Oh no!” as I witness the tragedy in “s-l-o w – m-o.”
Straining for the tipping thermos, I just miss what could have been a glorious save! Too late. Wham! The whole carafe topples over. Beautiful steamy brown liquid flows into a lake over the counter with spreading clusters of coffee grounds. And I realize – this morning, the coffee isn’t good.
What a mess!”
Have you ever had a tragedy happen – and you find yourself caught in an “instant replay loop” – re-living the awful moment? This re-living could happen in a small circumstance – like my coffee accident. But it can also accompany a major tragedy that reshapes your entire life!
Sometimes, caught in that “re-live loop,” you find yourself wondering if it might be a bad dream. You might still wake up. But alas! The tragedy is real. I’m sure you’ve spent a little time in this loop.
Consequently, you wonder what you could have done differently – better – to avoid the terrible thing as you re-live it again. However, you eventually realize the best thing to do is go forward, clean-up, learn what you can, and grieve (if appropriate) for your loss.
Some tragedies wound your heart for a long time. And when that happens, I suggest – Grieve genuinely! But then get up and do what must be done.
Back to my coffee nook story . . . “After I acknowledge the coffee experience simply isn’t good this morning, I reject grogginess and face the challenge of clean-up. I grab a rag. Have you ever tried cleaning up a lake of coffee with coffee grounds? It’s awful. The grounds stick to the counter, not the rag. Tiny early-morning rebels remain all over – as testimony of what happened.
Still, I keep working. Contain the mess. Absorb it. Gather up. Wring the rag out in the sink. Back to the mess to repeat those steps. I sandwich the grounds in the rag, pinching them into submission in the fold – and head for the sink – again and again. All my free morning minutes gone! Now – emergency speed to make another carafe and get ready for the day.
I find myself thinking, “This isn’t at all what I had in mind for my morning,” as I hurry to my special chair with my cuppa to read the Scriptures. No leisure lingering today. Time ticks, and my commitments for the day remain. I hope maybe tomorrow the coffee will be better.”
Thinking about that bad start, I realize – that’s how life is. Often on a much larger scale with infinitely more important issues, there are days – and even prolonged seasons – when the coffee isn’t good.
That can happen even after you do your best work in life.
Some examples:
But even after working hard to live well each day, life can take a fast turn, a twist, a completely new direction.
Then comes the unexpected slam. The topple. An unforeseen mess. Without any preparation, you find yourself in shock, disappointment, and inner sadness. Perhaps you even engage a self-scolding.
Yes – even after you adopt a daily, disciplined, pro-active approach that keeps life fresh, you can find yourself all over the counter in a lake of major life upset. That’s often when the “instant replay loop” starts. “If only . . . “
Yet! – that inviting carafe with pour spout and plunger – even the rubber, non-slip base – still beckons, “Try again. It’s OK. I’m still here for the special morning cup ceremony.”
Will you accept that invitation?
This, too, – is how life is. An invitation into the future. There’s another kind of life cycle that’s much healthier than the “re-live loop.” It’s God’s continuous circle of love, mercy, and grace. He always invites you – “Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy-burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt. 11:28)
God knows not every day goes well at the coffee nook. Between accidents, not having a clue, and outright sin – we need a fresh, new start many times.
God wants to help. He loves you deeply. And even when the coffee isn’t good, God is good! There’s nothing like starting the day in God’s coffee nook. In His presence –
God redeems every tragedy and loss – for the person who trusts Him. He knows when the coffee isn’t good. And because HE IS GOOD, He knows how to redeem every life spill – big or small. He said, “I am making everything new.” (Rev. 21:5)
He also nurtures a unique richness and depth in your soul from having experienced and survived tragedy. That undeserved work from God enhances your life.
Will you accept the invitation to rise up from a spill?
“Come near to God [in all your topples] and He will come near to you [to help in every way].” (Jas. 4:8)
This is a picture of my coffee nook from years ago. It still brings joy to my heart each time I remember it.
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