If anyone knows me, they know I love coffee. I need fully caffeinated coffee too in order to keep up with this ambition of mine. I like my coffee black (Absolutely NO SUGAR), strong and preferably on ice. I don’t want anything to dilute from the full, robust flavor. I can’t tell you how frustrated I get when I get that nasty taste of sugar in my coffee. Most people assume I’m drinking coke but it’s iced coffee. Sometimes I will even drink decaf if I’ve had a lot to drink that day just because I love the taste of coffee. I’ve come to the conclusion that I will always have coffee breath. My husband usually doesn’t complain, ha! It just is what it is. 

They say not to cry over spilled milk but no one ever mentions spilled coffee. There have been times I have come close to tears because I spilled my coffee and was in a position where I could not get more and I am NOT an emotional person. I’m an excitable person but not emotional. There have been times that I stained my favorite outfit but I was more upset that I spilled my coffee. 

So you can imagine my disappointment this past Saturday when I spilled my barely touched iced coffee. It went everywhere while Raelyn was in gymnastics. To make it worse, they were getting ready to have a meet…in that gym. I just knew there is going to be a big sign next time that says, “NO COFFEE FOR SPECTATORS”. The owner was very gracious and helped me clean up my big mess. I could just smell the aroma and was saddened that it all went to waste. I knew I could get more and needed to get more. I was running on little sleep and we were getting ready for a big day celebrating Raelyn’s Birthday. 

Not even 30 minutes later, my Mom spilled Raelyn’s milk all over the car and herself. I tried to reassure her it was not a big deal. We will just go get more milk and coffee (which we are VERY blessed to be able to do). My Mom said, “Man, Satan is really trying to wreck today”. I instantly said, “You know, I don’t want to give Satan credit. I think God is just trying to see how we will give Him praise”. 

As soon as I said that, I realized how silly it was to be upset over spilled coffee and spilled milk. It’s far from the end of the world. We are fortunate enough to buy over-priced coffee and milk at any time. 

I think we underestimate Satan but at the same time, I’m tired of giving him all the credit. Any time I have a bad day, I automatically blame Satan. What if God is trying to test me to see how I will glorify Him? What if God is trying to see how I will show other’s the same kind of mercy He showed me (James 2:13)? 

My kids are constantly watching how I react. Other people are watching how I react. Showing patience and kindness to someone who got my order wrong could make all the difference. I have had several orders recently that were wrong. I watch as the workers are frantically trying to resolve the situation. I’ve had several fast food workers recently thank me just for asking them how their day was going. Highschool aged kids who said people have been so rude to them all day. Maybe God is testing to see how I will be like Christ. If we can’t handle the little things, how are we to handle the major things?

We are to “ count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” – James 1: 2-4.

Only Satan can tempt us (James 1:13). Temptation is trying to lead us to sin. It is our choice how we handle the situation. Like Christ, we need to reflect everything back on to God (Matthew 4:1-11). Christ will help us because He Himself overcame temptation (Hebrews 2:18). I find it interesting that Satan left Jesus in the wilderness after Jesus said, ““Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only. then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him” – Matthew 4:10-11

Next time my coffee spills…you know that huge inconvenience (insert my own eye roll) I will just worship God.