Coffee with the King

Do you want to spend more time in your relationship with God but find that your good intentions somehow slip by at the end of the day? If so, you're not alone.  

I promised to set aside time each day but failed to meet that goal. Determined to find a way, I devised a plan: I tracked everything I did each day—and the amount of time spent doing those things—for one week. 

After chores, errands, shopping, and appointments, I concluded the remainder of my time consisted of six things I enjoyed: writing, music, classes, exercise, church, and spending time with family and friends.  (Your list might look quite different, but you get the idea). 

At the end of the week, on a quiet night, I sat at the kitchen table to review my findings. As I suspected, there were gaps in my schedule. That meant I had more time than I realized—time that could be put to good use.

A thought popped into my heart: “How about quiet time with God right now?”  I loved the comfort of my kitchen table, nestled in a corner, where I often enjoyed coffee. Yes, coffee with the King!

Clearing the table, I put down a lace tablecloth and arranged two place settings. A feeling of excitement bubbled inside me. The Lord would not be partaking in the physical consumption of coffee, but He would be with me in spirit. (The coffee was decaf because it was eleven o’clock at night; I didn’t think He would mind!)

His place setting was directly across from me. I poured the coffee, then offered a prayer of thanks.  Then, for the next fifteen minutes, I poured out my heart to my Lord—my King—my Counselor, my Savior. 
 
As I pondered the China place setting across the table with the empty chair, I imagined the Lord sitting there, the brightness of His white linen robe, the warmth of the light shining around Him, the look of love and compassion in His eyes, and the gentleness of His smile.

With no distractions, I attentively focused on my time with Him. It was one of the best “conversations” I’d had with God in a long time.  

That fifteen minutes was paramount to anything else I had done all day. My worries were lessened, my heart lightened, and the cup of coffee tasted pretty good, too.

Our lives are busy. I pray that you, too, find time to spend with God each day—wherever that may be! 
​
Photo: N. Johnson  

---