Coffee and Jesus: Surviving Mornings One Sip at a Time
Let’s face it: mornings are… well, rough. I don’t think there’s ever been a season where I could call myself a morning person. Guilty as charged—I’m the one who hits snooze for thirty minutes before even beginning to convince myself to wake up. My husband, on the other hand, jumps out of bed the moment the alarm rings, which bewilders me to this day. It’s like I have to give myself a pep talk: “Ok, Tracee, just breathe in…you got this…”
See, between finding socks that match (or even just two that exist because I literally toss them all into one drawer), taming my frizzy hair, and trying to look halfway awake (thank you, Lord, for makeup!), it’s no wonder the coffee cup has become my Holy Grail. And right there beside me is Jesus—who, I’m convinced, is laughing a bit as He watches me shuffle through the kitchen, barely coherent but with a hint of excitement, knowing I’m about to make that first cup of coffee. And I do mean every day, all 365 of them. I never thought I’d be “that” person who wakes up, heads straight to the kitchen, and brews a pot. That’s what I thought “old people” did! Welp, here I am. It may have started in my 30s, but here we are!
So, let’s talk about it. I can already hear you: “Are you seriously going to keep talking about coffee?” Yes, I am—because there’s something about those first few sips, isn’t there? That moment when you feel like maybe, just maybe, you’re going to make it through the day. It’s like your soul sighs, “Ahhh.” And as you savor that warmth, it’s easy to imagine Jesus leaning in, sharing the moment with you, and whispering, “See? We got this. Just breathe.”
Here’s a morning truth: sometimes, the holiest thing you can do is pause, take a sip, and invite Jesus into that sleepy haze. I’ve even come up with a few fun “lessons” I think He’s teaching us through coffee (yes, He works through coffee too! Ok, for my kids’ sake, through hot tea as well!):
“Patience, Child” – Waiting for the coffee to brew is a mini-lesson in patience, especially on mornings when the drip seems painfully slow. Sometimes, I even find myself hovering over it, willing it to hurry up. But maybe it’s a reminder that “Good things take time, even if it’s just a cup of coffee.”
“Fill Your Cup” – Life lesson here, friends! You can’t pour from an empty cup (both literally and spiritually). That first cup is a reminder that we need to be filled—by Him and, let’s be honest, a little caffeine—before we’re ready to pour into others.
“Embrace the Mess” – Coffee stains and life struggles? They have a lot in common. Both happen unexpectedly, and they’re hard to clean up. But maybe Jesus is gently nudging us to stop stressing over perfection. Those stains? They add character. That mess? It’s part of the journey.
“Savor the Small Moments” – One of the biggest life lessons in that little mug is to slow down and enjoy the small, warm moments. Each sip is a reminder to savor life’s blessings, even on chaotic days. God often meets us in the small things, so let’s take a second to smell the coffee and soak it all in.
“Take It Slow, Just Like That First Sip” – There’s no rushing that first sip without risking a burn. Similarly, diving headfirst into our day without grounding ourselves in Him (hello, Bible time!) can leave us feeling scorched. Jesus invites us to ease into things, to take a breath, and to start with Him.
So tomorrow morning, as you cradle your coffee and brace for the day, remember: you’re not just holding a mug. You’re holding a moment with Jesus. Let each sip remind you of His patience, His peace, and His humor in our daily mess.
I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” – Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)