I am posting this for everyone, especially for my “Company Girls” friends.
I’m not a big coffee drinker, but I like to relax with one cup in the morning. After stirring in the all-important hot cocoa mix and sugar, I sit and work a puzzle in the newspaper while soaking in the early morning quiet with my caffeine.
But good things are always better when shared with friends, aren’t they?
So, some mornings I enhance my coffee “ritual” by setting the puzzle aside (or solving it really, really fast!), and grabbing my Bible, journal and mug. Then I either curl up in the recliner or head out to my reading bench, to soak in a bit of insight or encouragement from God’s Word with my caffeine. I don’t have a quota of how much to read; I just pick up where I left off last time, and read until a light bulb comes on — that is, until something strikes me hard enough that I feel a need to write it down. That is when I feel that God has connected with me.
Some days I open my Bible at 4:30 AM in a fit of insomnia, or after lunch, or before bedtime. Too often I get sidetracked and forget all about it. But my favorite coffee times are the ones I spend with God. And my favorite times with God are my coffee times.
I would love to hear what helps you connect with God.
Thanks for reading!
Jan
Jan C Johnson, Author 
Jan, I am firmly convinced that caffiene in some form or another is a vital part of an effective quiet time, LOL. My favorite times actually take place in coffeeshops – fun to be alone with God in the midst of a crowd. I’m trying to create a “favorite bench” of sorts indoors at home, with so far limited success.
Love the two part writing exercise below, too.
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The coffeeshop idea is great, Diane! I know what you mean about the midst of a crowd… and sometimes that makes the best neutral noise. Hmm, maybe your indoor “bench” could be a chair that swivels (i.e., toward a window?)
Glad you enjoyed “Martin” and “Yvette.” They still entertain me! Thanks.
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I always start with it first thing in the morning. I have to or it will never get done. I usually get my breakfast and sit at the table and read and eat and pray. I admit, there are days it is purely out of duty. But I find that even then, when I am in the Word, I am learning and growing and getting to know my Good Shepherd better!
Have a great weekend!
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Thank you, Star. You are right about God using His Word even when our mood is “off.” Eph. 5:26 reminds me that Jesus cleanses us “by the washing with water through the word.”
PS: You have a beautiful family!
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I started drinking coffee w/ a similar combination – I called it a mocha (1/2 hot chocolate and 1/2 coffee) – now I’m a 1/2&1/2 creamer girl. 🙂
I’ve been enjoying working through the Psalms lately – one Psalm each morning – asking the questions, “Who is God?” and “Why do I care?” I love taking the time to “discover” who God is in each of the Psalms – sometimes multiple names/characteristics are “discovered” – and then reflecting that into my daily life. I also have a box of index cards nearby to write down verses that strike me to commit to memory.
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I like your idea of looking specifically for God’s attributes through the Psalms. Index cards for memory verses would be better than my current “method” of writing them down in my journal and not seeing them again after I’ve turned to a new page.
God bless you & your writing career. I’ll be checking in on your blog!
PS: Creamer AND mocha? You may be onto something….
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I’ve started getting up early (around 6 — which is early for a sleep-lover) so that I can have some peace before my kids are awake. I sit with my Bible and journal and my all-important chai latte. Somehow, Jesus makes it tastes even better in those silent moments before my world wakes up.
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Wow, I could feel my shoulders relax. Thank you for reading & for the well-phrased comment.
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Your post and the comments that followed inspire me 🙂 I have always aspired to be a morning person, however my quiet times are usually in the evening. My kids have always gotten up shortly after I do, no matter what time it is, which defeats the best of “QUIET time” intentions 🙂 However, I do dream of having a porch swing one day (and of course for that I will need a porch!) where I will sit and have my coffee and quiet times in the early morning……
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Thank you for the comment, and for “piggybacking” on the advice from others. Way to connect! (And yay for porch swings…)
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The summer months have been sporadic for me as far as spending time studying my Bible. I’m hoping that with my children returning to school next week, that I will be able to get back to a regular schedule. I like using a devotional as a starting point, but sometimes I do just start reading.
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I’m with you on the regular-schedule thing… ours will be topsy-turvy until September 1. Devotionals are a good kick-start which I also use sometimes. Thank you!
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