December 3, 2020
I remember hearing Dolly Parton share the story of how extremely early Country Music was how people learned of regional news. They’d put tragedy and or experience into the lyrics of a song. Then it was sent on its way. Look at how the times have changed. It’s getting very difficult to keep free of the evolving headlines. CNN and FOX fool us by changing the title but the story remains. You think you’re on the brink of something breaking and it’s the same ole crap you read three days ago. Now we’ve entered the age of television shows embracing the issues by including Covid and our nation’s struggles into what used to be an escape from the world. We can’t get away. In prayer this morning I mentioned that the Sunday morning pulpit motivational speeches weren’t healing us. Lifted yes! But for how long? An hour? A couple of days? How do we get to this thing called healing? Do we reach for it? How do we prepare for it? What is the total emotional cost to get a chunk or a chip of this thing called healing? Part of my greater worry is how affected we as a generation will be in the aftermath. Yep! That time period where we come to an agreement of finally being set free from the struggles of uncertainty. The aftermath. What will we look like? How will we think? Kids are living an educational nightmare right now. They’re mentally and physically evolving in ways no person could predict. The economy isn’t a bouquet of roses. Companies remain frozen inside a type of history they didn’t ask for. I feel deeply for remote employees. I spend a lot of time sharing conversation with them at the grocery store. They keep coming back because they need someplace to go without feeling guilty about being socially distanced. The daily goal shouldn’t be an hourly grind. We’re tired! Here’s something to think about. Coffee beans have to be ground. I mean give that bean hell. I want the best flavor and the air has to be scented with elegance. Grind those beans! Your life is currently being ground. For many of us we’ve got uncertainty covered. It’s not comfortable but our daily grind is feeding our willing walk and way. But what are you doing with your grounds? You can’t reuse coffee grounds. What are you doing with your grounds? My father would take them outside and spread them across the lawn. He said, “Worms love coffee grounds.” Those worms loved my father. His lawn was always incredible. Are you replenishing your soil with used coffee grounds? Being present in your presence. Grinding through life then taking those grounds to reinforce the foundation. Find focus on being aware of how this new way of living is moving through you. It’s too easy to #weneedamiracle. You are the miracle. Every day. Take care of your soil. My coffee grounds are the words I put onto paper. I don’t sip from that cup but the unpredictable first steps of a daily new beginning serve as a place of outreach. Stop throwing out your grounds. Utilize the continued strength. For today is a new day to grind.