Day 30: Coffee

Thank you, God, for coffee.

I don’t think it’s really about coffee, though. I think it’s about beginning the day. When I wake up, I drag myself out of bed, make coffee, then sit and drink while I scroll through email and other internet nonsense. This runs into the actual beginning of the day, which may look like diving into devotionals, taking the kids to the bus stop, or going to work—depending on how much time I’ve spent.

There are plenty of productivity “experts,” life coaches, and YouTube sensations who explain the best way to start your day. Most of it is just people sharing the proposed magic bullet to live a better life. I called it nonsense earlier, but that was probably too harsh. Waking up early may be good for you, and exercise is definitely beneficial. They share plenty of ideas that can be helpful. But I stand by the fact that if we aren’t intentional in what we do and why we do it, we miss most of the benefit.

For me, right now, it starts with coffee. Yes, it would probably start better with less internet, maybe some more reading, and undoubtedly exercise. But right now, the perfect part is coffee. Yes, I am probably “addicted” to it. Yes, if I stopped drinking it, I would have a headache. But I don’t think it’s even about the caffeine. It’s about centering myself, knowing that the day is starting. I liken it to tying my shoes—when the shoes are tied, you know it’s time for the next step.

So, what signifies to you that the day is about to start?

Speaking of tying shoes, when I ran track and cross country, I had this weird quirk before the more important races. I would unlace my shoes, put them on my feet, and then relace them. I never really thought about what it signified to me, but it was a beginning ritual. It made sense to me then, and somehow, it still makes sense now.

For that matter, I haven’t really thought about coffee until recently. But it’s the solid part of my routine that remains the same. Thank you, God, for the little things that help us begin, that center us, and that draw us closer to You.

So, thank you for coffee, for mornings, and for the chance to shape them into something that matters.

Once again—what signifies to you that the day is about to start?