Not surprising, but still entertaining that this found it's way onto my desk today. If the sides and title of this blog didn't give it away - I love coffee. No, really, I do. I love the way it tastes, the way it smells, and how it represents quality time shared with friends and quiet moments with God.
I love when people ask me over for coffee. There's no pretense, no expectations, only time. I've spent many hours at Starbucks laughing and crying with those I adore the most. Time is my love language and mixing that with caffeine and long discussions of Jesus is Heaven on Earth for moi.
Added to a life of 2 full time jobs, yoga, church, friends, home and 3 dogs.....this week I started my Masters Degree in Psychology. It's an intense program with 10 projects and 10 papers due every 10 weeks. That seemed easier when I was signing paperwork. But, I'm determined to not just finish this degree, but finish well. And that decision starts at the beginning.
My two observations so far are....
1. Success is going to require a lot of coffee. I've spent 12 hours at Starbucks already since Wednesday doing research, writing and reading. What can I say? I focus better with free refills.
2. I need God big time. More than once this week, waves of being completely overwhelmed have threatened to knock me over. I've asked myself if I can honestly do well all that I'm committed to and still properly care for my own well being. Can I work hard, play hard, study hard and rest enough to hear the voice of God whispering his plans and love into my life?
I've combated these fears with a few plans....
1. I'm adding more yoga classes. I know that seems counter productive to time management, but it's critical for soul care.
2. I'm returning to strict keeping of the daily office. Prayer is my saving grace, but the rhythm of prayer gives me a map for my days. I'm rekindling daily scripture reading and making a concentrated effort to find God in every moment of every day.
3. I'm nurturing the communities to which I belong and maintaining the God connections in my life. I need the break of lunch or dinner with friends, yoga with people of a similar mindset, and deep conversations on a walk or over coffee with spiritual people who encourage and inspire me to love God in the messy places.
And I'm coming back around to where I started:
Peace - that I'm where I am on this journey and moving forward for reasons I may not know.
Love - Keeping those God has entrusted to me close and showing up often for those relationships.
Jesus - He's enough. He just is.
And
Coffee - Because sometimes it's what ties it all together.
1 comment:
Sounds like an excellent plan! I know you're going to learn so much and grow so much and be so glad you made all these commitments. It will be hard but it will be rewarding.
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