I don't miss you, coffee. Coffee, you and I have had a rocky relationship in the past, you assumed I needed you, I denied it, you forced yourself onto me, I partook of the sweet nectar and was cured of my bleary eyes and pounding headache. Coffee, you no longer control me. Don't get me wrong, I still want a casual relationship with you, but I think it is time we see other people and reunite only for special occasions, like New Year's eve and dark, frosty mornings.
I know coffee during the Daniel Fast is a source of contention for some churches. Some say coffee beans are natural and there is nothing wrong with pouring water over beans in order to make an aromatic and mouthwatering form of bean water. Others say you are not supposed to have stimulants as Daniel wouldn't have had those. Regardless of where you land, I thought one thing I was turning to rather than disciplining myself was coffee. I could stay up late without repercussions the next day, but I would assuredly miss my time with God because I needed to garer as much sleep as I could. I was undisciplined. Coffee, why must you tempt me so.
The first few days were hard but not terrible, I drowned myself with water so the affects of no coffee were not as bad. Between that and running, things got better. But the more I thought about the things I really missed on the Daniel fast the more I realized I didn't truly miss anything. The times I felt hungry I prayed for guidance and discipline during the day. This isn't to say I don't look forward to eating whatever I want come Sunday. Here is my food list:
First thing I will have: Me 'n Eds pizza. A perfect combination of the things I couldn't eat (cheese, bread, and meat.)
Second thing: Cookies for dessert. No Sugar makes Peter crazy.
Third Thing (Morning after): Coffee, not because I need it, because I miss it. My plan is to limit it to a cup a day, no afternoon caffeine splurges to pick me up.
This is the verse I am meditating on this week and my hope is I take the knowledge and wisdom I have gained during this fast to aid me in discipling myself when it comes to the bad habits I have formed in life.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7
