The time I gave up coffee (and not the red cup kind)
Which have you noticed lately, saying , “that’s a thing” is a trendy phrase. It’s funny what becomes trendy isn’t it.
I tried to start a trend once. I was visiting Japan for a summer to serve Jesus there—and I told a big group of my Japanese friends that a trend in America was to cup elbows together as a sign of friendship.
Yes, I told them that. So we did it sometimes there in Japan. I had no idea that my Japanese friend would randomly show up in America. At my college. And that the first thing He would do is ask my Dad if He could cup his…. Chin.
Granted He got confused and said the word chin instead of the word elbow, but really how hilarious is that.
So I had to teach my friends to cup elbows. We especially did it when we would pray together. It became a thing.
Anyways—that really was just a funny digression for your day.
Ok, with all this focus on coffee I wanted to say something that I know that you already know about me.
I am in love with coffee!
I started my coffee love as a coffee drinking pansy at 7th grade Sunday school class. They gave us coffee to keep us awake. It was basically sugar with some milk swirled in and barely blonde coffee.
That was before fancy flavored creamers were a thing. Then when I went to college, my best friend Casey was into coffee. She would take us to the gas station to get gas station cappuccinos. The coffee snobs that we are, we now cannot believe we did that. Oh but we did. (it was a thing) (I want to see how many times I can use that trendy phrase in this blog post).
Later when Casey and I lived together in Grad school, Casey may or may not have worked at the establishment that may or may not have red cups this Christmas. And she brought home free bags of coffee. Strong delicious really bold coffee. I got where I could drink it strong and black– and love it.
I was super sad when she got married and I lost my live in barista. Well in Christian love I was happy for her of course—but who would make that delicious coffee?
All that to say, this summer God asked me to give up coffee for 40 days. When He said that I thought for sure I heard Him wrong. Anything but that Lord.
The thing is I don’t think there is anything wrong with coffee.
I believe God wanted me to experience saying no so that I could say YES to God <— click to tweet
It was not like after fasting coffee for those 40 days He gave me some mountain moving miracle moment, or that something huge changed. But it was amazing to learn to say no. To press in and pray in those moments.
Something I am wanting to get deep, really deep, into my soul is that nothing was created to satisfy any longing I have except for the One who created Longings.
Nothing.
Not coffee (even the best in the world), not relationships, not being perfect, not enough followers on Instagram, not getting a book published and becoming a Best Selling Author.
You can insert your own things there. (because that’s a THING).
He loves me too much to let anything else satisfy.
Our church has been going through 1 Peter and I really prayed through this verse. 1 Peter 1:21 who raised him from the dead and gave Him glory so that your faith and hope are in God.
I want all of my hope and faith to rest in God. My hope that He is who He says He is. And that He is faithful.
And He alone can satisfy.
So I am sipping some coffee and thanking Him for His goodness to satisfy. And linking with my friend Holley for coffee for your heart.
#it’sathing
Ps: don’t forget if you want to prepare your heart to come alive in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, 25 days to Coming Alive at Christmas is available now on Kindle and in hard copy. Would love for you to join us in Coming Alive at Christmas
Click here for info.
Jenn, so lovely to “meet you” through Holley’s linkup today! Thanks for sharing your “coffee testimony.” I always find that God uses seasons of fasting to draw me closer to Him — it helps me to hear Him when I am less distracted.
Blessings,
Lyli
I had to give up coffee about 5 years ago due to an illness. It was all caffeine actually so get this…I had to give up chocolate too!! 😮 I’m grateful to be able to tolerate both in small portion now, but yes…God taught me stuff. 🙂 With my sacrifice, He replaced what I loved with something better, namely health. Great post, Jenn. Visiting from Holley’s place.