Black Coffee

This is the last week of 2015, which means it's a perfect time to reflect on this past year, and look forward to the new year...

As I dive into my late twenties, one change I realized I  made was drinking my coffee black. I'm not even sure why I've started this. It's usually on a week day morning when I'm rushing to work. I don't really care about adding taste to my coffee, I just need a warm drink to wake me up. The bitterness I welcome before I instruct and help dozens of adult learners. I start to really enjoy the taste of pure coffee. Sometimes now I order it in restaurants. My parents think I'm nuts, but I think this could be a subtle transition into turning more into an adult.

That's where I really start to reflect, as we are on the verge of 2016. Adulthood. It's one of those things where you never really know where the transition is. I thought I would feel more like an adult after college, or when I got my first "big boy job". I thought it might have occurred when I moved out on my own. The strangest thing is I still have the same thoughts, feelings, and disposition as I remember having back in the eighth grade. And I certainly wasn't an adult then!

This is an unusual time for me. I'm watching a lot of change happen, and I've never really been a big fan of change-both good and bad. As I sit back and sip my black coffee I just watch the people I'm closest to change all around me. One of my closest friends just had their first child! As I held little Samuel for the first time, I felt a tinge of joy and apprehension. Could I be next? Am I supposed to have one of these... soon???

Also another one of my best friends and his wife bought a house on the west side, and my twin brother and his wife are looking for houses. This brought another feeling of, should I be looking for one of those too? I mean my twin brother is! I have to keep up with the sibling rivalry!

Maybe adulthood happens when you get married, buy a house, or have a baby- junctures that I have yet to cross. But some of my friends would look at me incredulously saying how much I have changed in the past few years. Maybe we notice change in others, but not change in ourselves?

I am looking forward to what's ahead in 2016. I don't know what change is to come, but I know there is going to be change whether I like it or not.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Whispers in the Night

"Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." 1 Kings 19: 11-12


Have you ever hoped for God to speak to you in a huge way? Like you're faced with a huge life decision, and you just wish God could show up with fanfare and let you know clearly which choice to make? I know I have. Especially here recently; the older I get I feel like the more confusing things get.


The above passage comes from 1 Kings in the Old Testament. Elijah is about to be in the presence of the Lord on this mountain. The Lord informs Elijah that he is about to pass by. While Elijah was waiting for the Lord, he came across a violent wind, an earthquake, and even fire. None of these phenomenon's revealed the Lord's presence though. Instead the Lord came in a gentle whisper.


I love this passage so much! It really speaks to me. It's insane to me that the Lord reveals himself in a gentle whisper, instead of something huge! A lot of times I wait for something huge, but all along as I'm waiting He is just right by me, closer than my next breath, and He is just whispering to me.


Do you ever hear His whisper? Not audibly maybe but a simple nudging, or just a sense. I know I sure have. In high school I remember creating these "get away" spots, when I was feeling bad, or lonely, or confused. I remember real late at night playing basketball at the bottom of my street by myself. I was just shooting hoops and talking to God, and I felt Him close by. I remember escaping to Tower Park, and in the woods praying, feeling, and listening. I remember in college feeling God's presence one night at midnight. I came back after a late bible study, and was starving. I went to Mcdonalds drive thru, and sat on the hood of my car just having a conversation with Him. After college, I remember this one Thursday night, I had an interview the next day. I went to another one of my get away spots with an awesome view of this airport and it's runaways. As I was looking at the stars, and watching planes take off, I was just praying to Him, nervous about this big interview. He comforted me.


Is He whispering to you in the night? What is He saying? You just have to listen real close. Don't expect something huge. While you are hoping, and waiting for something HUGE to happen, He is already gently whispering to you.