Cold Coffee

About this time last year I started the journey of intentionally trying to acquire a taste for coffee. That journey has led me to a point where I now enjoy/long for a cup of coffee or two throughout the day, but it's also taught me a lesson I'm referring to as "Cold Coffee." This concept came from having several cups of coffee brew from time to time that would end up getting cold because I'd get sidetracked or distracted. By the time I finally got to my coffee, it was too cold to drink, and I've discovered that at least for me it doesn't taste the same reheating it in the microwave

In some situations, it was a good choice to let my coffee get cold as I turned my attention toward something else. For example, our almost one year old often tries to destroy things, and He will also occasionally do what little brothers do and start bothering his 3 year old brother. In both of these situations, I've had to go "be the dad" and as a result, end up coming back to my coffee after it's dramatically cooler than I like. While disappointed my coffee was now cold, I think I obviously made the better choice.

However, there are other scenarios in which I've became frustrated by my cold coffee... Like when I get in my A.D.D. mode and completely forget that I have a cup of coffee waiting on me or when I get wrapped up in something not important like reading a blog about UT football. When I finally remember my coffee, it's too late; it's cold!

Ok. To my real point... As we go through life, we have to learn to recognize when we have allowed or should allow our coffee to get cold. However, in these situations, the coffee is merely symbolic to something much more meaningful.

Some of us may have things in our life that need to be ignored so we can pursue something better. For example, your "cold coffee" may be your addiction to Facebook, that if ignored, would free up more time to pray, read Scripture, or have substantial conversation with the people in your life.

Others of us may need to start taking advantage of our coffee while it's hot and stop letting it get cold. An example of this would be responding intentionally and immediately to the Holy Spirit's promptings regarding someone. Have you ever been in the middle of a task and all of sudden someone comes to your mind? This could very well be because God wants you to reach out to this person and be intentional about spending time with them. The key is to respond when prompted. Drink the coffee when it's hot because that's when it's best. All too often we wait, put it off, ignore it, and if/when we finally get around to touching base with that person, nothing comes of it. I have several personal examples of how this has played out both positively and negatively in my own life.

So, this is the concept of cold coffee... now you apply it to your situation!