It's so ridiculous, I can't believe I am even debating this. I am even more ashamed that I am admitting debating this. It's taken up an enormous amount of mental energy over the last few months, weeks, days.
The debate?
To drink coffee, or not to drink coffee.
If you have known me long, you know that I looooovvveee coffee. Well, that's not technically true. I love the cream and sugar that make the coffee wonderful. Think of the color ivory and go a few shades lighter than that. That is how much cream and sugar it takes me to really loooooovvvveeee coffee. In January 2010, I cut it out of my life. I started noticing my waistline getting softer and my clothes getting tighter. I don't blame it entirely on the coffee/cream/sugar, but it certainly didn't help matters.
So I cut it out. Not back, O-U-T.
And I have missed it everyday since then.
Recently, I treated myself to a white chocolate mocha at bible study.
IT WAS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!!!!
Not really, but it was pretty darn good. Except for the astronomy lesson fail.
{Other than that.}
After that day, I made myself wait one week, ONEWHOLEWEEK, until I could get another coffee treat at a Mom's Playdate. ANOTHER HOME RUN.
Now?
It's all I can think about.
And I have fallen off the wagon.
{Currently sipping a sweet cup of creamy, sugary, caffeinated goodness}
{The flavor, Angel's Kiss, if you must know. How could something so innocent be bad?}
I am super-duper happy holding a cup of coffee and reaping the amazing benefits.
BUT THE GUILT IS ABOUT TO SUFFOCATE ME!!!
That is where you come in. Help me make this decision.
I am dead serious.
Do I dive back in and ration the cream and sugar down, or do I stop again and only treat myself occasionally? And if I do start again how do I manage the guilt? And if I stop how do I manage the temptation? What would you do if you were me?
{See what I mean?}
It's comical that this has taken up so much of my mental energy. But it has.
Soooooooooooooo.....
Give me wisdom, oh wise ones.
6 comments:
Totally feeling your pain and conflict on this issue. Here is what worked for me: plain black coffee with stevia. First I used liquid vanilla flavored stevia and now I am using Trader Joe's Organic powdered stevia. Sometimes a bit of both. And I'm happy. Do I miss cream? Yes. Every day. But it's working and I feel good. Good and caffeinated! :)
Well, Janelle, this is a very hard one to deal with but one I deal with daily. I've been reading a book titled "Love to Eat, Hate to Eat". One of the major points is that you and God have to decide what is right for you to eat (drink). Some things you eat or drink can be a sin, but those very things might not be sin for someone else. If you are feeling guilty to where it's suffocating you, then I would have to say that God is telling you it's not right for you. The temptation isn't put there by God, so you have to stay close to Him so that it isn't such a matter to deal with. This is a big problem for me. I've never taken anything away for long periods of time, so I can't speak to what it's like to go back to something. But I have a very strong problem with temptation and giving in to it with regard to food. The feelings of deprivation if I don't give in are just too much to handle. But I know that it is a sin to long for anything that isn't God. I'll pray for you, Janelle! It's not a silly thing at all to admit. I think there are LOTS of people who have the exact same problem.
drink it.
in freedom.
truly.
What do you feel guilty about? Did the holy spirit convict you to stop drinking it or was it just a goal you made for yourself? Does drinking coffee cause you to sin or interfere with your relationship with the Lord or your loved ones? If not, then drink away and just watch what you put into it. Or save it as a treat a few times a week. Drinking coffee isn't worth wasting all your precious energy worrying about it. Set yourself free.
drink the coffee, skip the ice cream. (or whatever other sweet indulgence has a bad influence on your waistline)
I can just speak for myself... I can NOT make it without my Venti Mocha.... I must find a more affordable way to start my day- and then I'll worry about the caffeine and calories that I'm ingesting. As for now- my family is very thankful when I pull thru that beautiful place known as starbucks! :)
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