Be Aware Of Your Influence

For Christmas, Laela bought me a giant bag of 8 o’clock coffee beans. I thought it was sweet that she knew I enjoyed 8 o'clock coffee and that she bought me a gift with intention. 

This morning, as I wandered into the kitchen before the light of day, I opened the cupboard. There was my big bag of coffee, and a thought came to me. 

8 O’clock coffee is ok, but it is not remarkable in any way. Why is it one of my favorites? As I stood waiting for the beans to grind and fall into their little basket, I thought about it for a moment. I realized that I think 8 o'clock is great because my dad told me it was. He acted like it was the best coffee in the grocery store. I know that growing up my dad made his decisions based on the things he could afford, but my dad behaved as if 8 O’clock was the finest coffee in the world. 

As I began scooping the grinds into my coffee filter, I realized that my dad's desire to romanticize and find joy in every part of life has influenced me, down to what I think of as good coffee. Now, my children assume 8 O’clock is good coffee only because of my dad's influence on me. 

Be aware of your influence and live every mundane moment as a joyful adventure. You will change generations. 

Bless you. 

• Pastor