The Spirituality of the Day’s First Cup of Coffee | Guest Post
I stumble toward the coffee maker, sleepy and not completely functioning. Yet.
I pour water, knowing that the beans will change me and make me human again.
I have faith that the ingredients will merge into something delicious, something that will nourish me, my body and soul. Something more than just coffee beans plus water.
And so I wait. In robe and slippers, I haven’t even begun to put two thoughts together yet. The coffee comes first. The brewing aroma awakens my senses to the day’s possibilities. Even though I had to crawl out of a warm bed, it can’t be all bad…
The mug warms my hands, and I breathe in the steam like an Oracle, waiting for divine inspiration to move through me. Sometimes it comes, in the form of clarity of thought, optimism, and energy with which to start the day. Sometimes it comes in a spark of fun, as I sing along to a silly song, shake my tail-feathers, and use the hairbrush for a microphone. Sometimes it doesn’t come at all, but warm hands and something in the belly are just enough grace for the strength to begin.
Brother Lawrence, a 15th century Carmelite friar, sensed God’s presence in the ordinary work of his community’s busy kitchen. How wise: the task itself isn’t great or small; only our motivation matters. Making coffee in the morning? Seems ordinary, but… I know Spirit is there with me, in the kitchen of my messy little condo. If I’m really lucky, I pour two cups of coffee and deliver one to the bedside of someone I love. It is not much, but it is done with great love, and is therefore sacred.
Every morning, every lifetime: We all stumble, we wait in faith, we are nourished. When we can go forward toward our potential, we pass on the grace we have received. All in one cup. Bring on the day!
This post was written by our customer and guest blogger Beth N.
Beth is a teacher at Seton Catholic Central School in Plattsburgh, NY (way up North near Canada). She spends her free time drinking coffee, reading, listening to music, traveling, and enjoying her daughter and dog.
