Chaos in a Cup

I think I may be slightly OCD… or perhaps I would be better described as methodical? No, I’m pretty sure it’s borderline OCD (definitely not decisive, right?). I have systems. These systems are specific to certain situations. A prime example: I have different coffee mugs for different situations. If I’m going somewhere and I need to drink my coffee quickly while on the road, I take it in my regular, oversized mug (not a travel mug, so no lid). If I’m going somewhere and I want to be able to enjoy my coffee over the course of an hour or more, I take it along in my Bubba travel mug (super insulated – hot stays HOT). I even have a travel mug for the in-between, but you get the picture.

I have to say, I was having a morning! But it started out all wrong the night before. My hubby and father-in-law (FIL) were watching (and laughing at) funny YouTube videos, I was finishing up some work on the computer and we get a Skype call from my brother-in-law (no, he’s not a “BIL”). He and my hubby are like Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp (minus the gambling, killing, and such); this was probably going to take a while. It was already midnight, so I went and brushed my teeth, took my dog (Nell) out for a last-chance potty break before morning, and listened to the banter between brothers. In the end, we didn’t get to bed till after 1am.

The next morning, I’m sure my alarm went off (I recall hitting snooze several times), but I finally woke up enough to barely squint at the time… 9:57…am? Ohmirgorsch!! (That’s me being groggy and exclaiming at the same time.) I had a hair appointment at 10:30! I rarely get my hair cut, but every now and then I have to bite the bullet and fork over the money. I do enjoy having someone massage my scalp, and wash and style my hair. But now I was running late before I even got out of bed! I threw on some jeans and a hoodie, dashed to the bathroom and bit back the scream – I had sleep lines across half of my face! And they were deep. One of the deeper lines started on my forehead and cut straight down the middle of my eyelid (which was puffy, by the way). I resembled Scar from The Lion King; Thor from Avengers Infinity War – maybe I should have put on an eye patch.

I rushed through the motions of washing my face (no soap, just jojoba) and added some vitamin E oil, hoping the moisturizing would help. The lines didn’t vanish. Well, sugar peas! I had to move on. Had to at least brush my hair; you can’t go to get your hair cut without brushing your hair first. It’s like going to the dentist right after eating Oreos! You just don’t do it. Next, I had to get my coffee to brewing and my shake to blending. My hubby hadn’t realized the time until he heard me zipping into walls and shrieking in the bathroom; he took over getting my shake ready (such a good man).

I was finally ready, it was 10:15… ish, and I was grabbing my kisses and giving keys. Wait. What? You get the picture. I chose to take my coffee in my regular, non-travel mug. It’s oversized, so I wasn’t worried about shplashege (it’s just a fun word); I just wanted to be able to drink it (and my chia shake) before trying to relax in the salon chair. Just so you know, I walked in the salon door at 10:32 and my stylist was on the phone booking an appointment (I had to wait on her! Yay!).

While I was driving, calmly and not speeding, I had my coffee sitting in the center-console cup-holder (fits perfectly) while I chugged my shake. Finished with the shake, I reached for my coffee and noticed that the mug was holding tumultuous waves of caffeine. I wasn’t driving down a bumpy road, but the coffee was being shaken, not stirred. As soon as I held the mug in my hand, the turbulent coffee waves settled. Not a ripple remained. Nothing had changed about the road or the speed, just how the mug was held.

I had an apostrophe; lightening struck my brain… (Anyone? I’m quoting Smee in the movie, “Hook”.) Maybe it was too soon after waking up for me to start thinking such deep thoughts, or maybe it was the line of shame penetrating half of my face, but I couldn’t help think about how we’re often like the coffee inside the mug – especially on chaotic mornings like the one I was having. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 (NIV) Later, in the same book, Jesus goes on to say, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)

We may feel securely held while sitting in the center-console cup-holder, perfect fit and everything, but we’re still feeling and reflecting the chaos of the world around us. The world only offers the illusion of safety – here’s a self-help book that has great breathing exercises to help calm and center you. Having trouble with your teen – take these steps that are proven to work from a psychological perspective. Trouble in your marriage – try again with someone else if you can’t get your spouse to change. The world offers band-aids and God offers cures. We can’t expect a miracle if we’re not looking to the miracle-maker.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:1-2 (NIV) Anyone content to sit in the cup-holder is settling for less than best. Don’t be content to quake and slosh so long as you’re not spilling. You may be on a seemingly smooth road, but hit a pothole and you’re done for! You’re more likely to spill over when you’re already in an uproar. Who knows better how to help you and keep you calm than the One who created you?

Bring it to God. Talk with Him about your marriage; tell Him your anxious thoughts, He knows what you care about. He loves your kids infinitely more than you ever could! He knows what you need before you even know you need it. “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26 (NIV) I know a lot of Christians out there don’t approve, but I got myself a tattoo just so that I would have a constant reminder of this. The birds of the air and the flowers of the field are nothing in God’s eyes compared to me (or you).

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV) This is one of my favorite subjects, trusting in God, and I’m not even hitting it hard here… just bear with me through this last passage (only two verses) and I’ll wrap it up (for now): “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

God has provided us with everything we need – we can trust in Him. He’s not like anyone on this earth; someone that will let us down, not show up, or flat out lie to us. He’s not capable of those things. If we focus on Him, on His goodness and love (and grace and mercy and kindness and patience… so much more!), then our thoughts will align with His. That’s when we’ll experience peace that goes beyond anything we could ever understand. That’s the peace that the center-console cup-holder could never offer.