liturgy of the coffee cup
I love coffee. I am always hunting for the coolest coffee shops and the best single-origin coffee (from South America). I love it so much that I did a coffee shop tour with a friend a few years ago. We documented all the coffee shops we visited and then made a coffee table book. Little did I know I would find my favorite coffee shop in 2022, and it would be located in Lexington, Kentucky. If you are ever in Lexington, go to Nate's coffee hideaway. Hands down, it's the best coffee shop ambiance I have found. If I lived nearby, I would make this place my office.
I am also a collector of coffee cups. I have an extensive collection of Starbucks mugs from various places around the country and the world. Many have been gifts from people as they traveled; when I had an office, my collection from around the globe was proudly displayed. Team members would come into my office, see them and reminisce about their trips home or abroad. It's pretty amazing how many I have been gifted over the years. In addition to the Starbucks location mugs, In my travels, I often pick up a locally made and unique coffee mug when I see them. A good coffee cup always brings me joy. I have intentionally collected coffee mugs representing each of the geographic areas and cities in the ministry of my employer, CommonSpirit Health.
Liturgy is a Greek term meaning "public work or work done on behalf of the people." When you hear the word, you might think of mass, sacrament, The Book of Common Prayer, or the liturgical calendar. Do a few searches on liturgy, and you will likely see many interpretations and methods of liturgy. I remember reading Tish Warren Harrison's Liturgy of the Ordinary book a few years ago. The book's description on Amazon goes like this: "this book explores daily life through the lens of liturgy, small practices, and habits that form us. Each chapter looks at something―making the bed, brushing her teeth, losing her keys―that the author does every day". Finding liturgy in making my bed sounds like over-spiritualization, but when you read her book, it makes sense.
Last year I began a new spiritual practice, a liturgy if you will. I began utilizing my coffee mugs as a catalyst for specific prayer. While my coffee is brewing, I carefully select my coffee mug for that morning. I pour my coffee, sit down and then start my prayer liturgy. Sometimes, the mug was a gift, and I pray for that person while I drink my coffee. Other times, it's a city, and I pray for the town and the people I know there. Other times it is a company. Today it was California's Central Valley, and I prayed for:
Two team members who were recently promoted. I prayed that they would flourish in their new roles. Both were well deserved; both have meant so much to me over the years. I prayed for their families and their health.
Each member of our team works in the Central Valley.
Our communities, hospitals, clinicians, and our patients. May healing and kindness spread throughout the Central Valley.
I said a specific prayer for Forrest and Katie Jenan and Neighborhood Church in Visalia. This church is unique. May their light continue to shine brightly into that community.
One of our team members is soon transitioning back to work after maternity leave. May she have confidence that her baby will be loved and cared for as she transitions back into work. May she not be overwhelmed, and may she manage her time well and feel good about her accomplishments at home and work
An employee who does double duty by volunteering for the youth group at his church. May he continue to be joyful in his work here and in his community.
A leader and friend who recently began serving our Bakersfield hospitals. May he be received well and knock it out of the park on service.
The weather. This rain is so needed, but some areas have persistent flooding and damage. The central valley farmers are blessed and cursed with this level of rainfall.
The biggest blessing from this prayer routine is it has taken my prayer focus from myself and turned it towards others. I pray for my sister Rachel when I select the Christmas Starbucks cup she gave me more than fifteen years ago. I pray for Brian when I pick up my mug from Prague. I pray for the Pacific Northwest team (and my Washington friends) when I pick up my Pikes Place Market Starbucks cup. I pray for my mom, sister, and our kids when I pick up my Yellowstone mug,
Liturgy gets us out of ourselves, forms us, and guides us in God's ways. Prayer connects us to God and reminds us that we can't do this life on our own. When we commit ourselves to a life of prayer, we see our selfish inward focuses turn outwards towards others. I invite you to join me in this liturgy of prayer. Select a coffee mug from your cabinet, pour coffee, tea, or your favorite drink, and pray for the people, the organization, the person who gave it to you, or wherever your heart leads.
#coffee #prayer #sacredcubicle #sacredcup #prayerwarrior
