This week, I found myself in a bit of a predicament. With several meetings scheduled across town, I miscalculated my timing and ended up with a 2.5-hour gap between appointments. Rather than waste time driving back to the office, only to return later, I decided to make the most of the situation. Given the high cost of gas these days, every trip counts.
Gas prices have been on a steady rise, with the national average reaching $3.18 per gallon in 2023 (source). It's no wonder that many of us are looking for ways to minimize unnecessary trips. In fact, the cost of filling up a car can sometimes feel more valuable than the car itself.
To kill time, I stopped by a quaint coffee shop for a cup of Joe. There's never a bad time for coffee, despite its price. The average cost of a cup of coffee in the U.S. is around $2.99 (source). As I sipped my coffee, I began to ponder the significance of this beloved beverage.
My love for coffee can be traced back to my grandfather, a man who cherished his coffee rituals. He often said, "You can always tell a man by the coffee he drinks." For him, instant coffee was an abomination. "If a man would drink instant coffee," he would say, "there's no telling what else he would do. Never trust a man who drinks instant coffee."
To my grandfather, making coffee was an art form. He brewed his coffee on an old wood-burning stove, a relic that my grandmother used for over 50 years. Despite eventually getting an electric stove, the wood-burning stove remained the heart of their kitchen.
Grandfather's coffee pot was a large, 2-gallon percolator, always kept on the back of the stove. The coffee was "fresh" every Sunday, as he would empty the pot on Saturday night and prepare a new batch. He ground the coffee beans himself and added a few secret ingredients, including a crushed eggshell. This concoction would last the entire week, growing stronger each day.
One of my grandfather's strict rules was never to wash the coffee pot. He believed that the pot's "character" was essential for making good coffee. By the time he passed away, the pot's original blue color had turned black, and its capacity had diminished from 2 gallons to just 3 quarts due to the buildup of character.
Reflecting on my grandfather's coffee rituals, I thought about the gifts we receive in life. The Bible says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change" (James 1:17 ESV). While I may not know why God gave us coffee, I do know that His blessings are abundant and unwavering.
In conclusion, a simple cup of coffee can evoke memories, traditions, and reflections on life's blessings. Whether it's the ritual of brewing or the comfort of a familiar taste, coffee holds a special place in our hearts and lives.
