I love the smell of roses, but I far prefer the aroma of coffee!

My love for coffee began at a very early age, although it wasn’t until I was in my teens that I began to jug the black stuff.  None the less, I grew up loving the smell of java, and whenever my mom can-opened a fresh tin, I remember asking her if I could be the one to pull off the metal lid. As a junior-grade coffee lover, nothing beat that first waft of factory-fresh ground coffee.  Bless my mom because she always allowed me that initial, sensory-overload sniff.  

“So,” you ask. “What’s coffee got to do with God?”  I’m glad you asked!

With our daily lives so busy, chances are that you’ve neither the time nor the energy to smell the coffee, let alone the roses. Pot-holes of life can leave us too exhausted to slow down, and as hard as we try, everything in our path smells like burned coffee, decayed roses, and for dramatic effect, let’s add dirty socks!  Just because we place our faith in Jesus Christ, doesn’t mean we’re exempt from difficulty. Jesus tells us in John 16:33. “In this world you will have trouble.”  Indeed, we do.

So, where is your sanctuary from expired coffee, wilted roses and stinky socks? How do you find the power of endurance to brew a fresh pot, or clip new blooms from the garden, or launder drawers of locker-room grade socks? I’ll tell you! Psalm 46:1-3 is one of my favs! “God is our strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” And this one from Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (NIV)

Both of these verses deserve your time and utmost attention when life closes in around you and your nose goes on the fritz. What else can you do?  You can find your bible, dust it off—read and pray. Being a disciple of Jesus isn’t always a get-out-of-jail free card that allows you to ‘Pass Go and Collect $200’ But, what I can tell you with every assurance is this; God is with you—always and forever! He’s at your side no matter what you’re going through. God may even have different plans for us than we have for ourselves, and that’s okay when you understand this. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV)

God may even have different plans for us than we have for ourselves, and that’s okay when you understand this. “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV)

I don’t currently have any roses in my home, but I do have coffee, a bible and knees to bow upon. With all the business in my own life, I’m good to stop a moment, slow the pace and start sniffing!

Are you with me?

Paul Smyth