The Toffee Crunch Mocha Latte called my name.

I deliberated over the other options.

The americano with a splash of milk. Way fewer calories.

The cappuccino with a foamy heart. Way more sensible.

The south Indian filter coffee. Way more familiar.

But the Toffee Crunch Mocha Latte was just more… holiday-y. This is the season to indulge, they say. So indulge I did.

Turns out, it was too sweet, too fake, and too many. Or, should I say, “two many.” I hadn’t paid too much attention to what I was paying for and I was served not one coffee, but two indulgent beverages.

Not wanting to kick up a fuss (Any other people pleasers know that feeling?), I asked for a disposable cup and poured in one of the Toffee Crunch Mocha Lattes for my evening pick-me-up while I sipped on the other one at the coffee shop.

When it was time to leave, I situated myself in my car, holding my extra coffee. But the caffeine and caramel kicked in and I clutched the coffee cup with the vigor of an experienced purse snatcher. Lo and behold, the lid cheerily popped off. Yup, you guessed it. It was a classic case of one’s cup running over.

Friend, let me tell you, there’s nothing worse than coffee all over your car—actually, I take that back. Try toffee-infused, sticky-caramel-spiked coffee all over your car. And when I say all over, it flowed like a muddy river through the ridges of the floor mats and even under the hand brake.

The thing that jumped to mind was the old adage: Too much of a good thing is good for nothing. (Nope, that’s not a verse. Just something smart someone said that I agree with on occasion)

In the days leading up to Christmas, lots of good things lie in wait. The question is: Like that extra coffee, are there too many “good” things on our plates that have no business being there?

Too many presents. Too many events. Too many traditions to recreate. Too many expectations we place on ourselves. And sometimes it all just messily explodes like an overfilled paper cup that was clenched too tight. Can we ask ourselves, “why?”

Why do we fall into the same old patterns of overextending ourselves this season?

In the book of Zechariah, a group  from Bethel inquires of the Lord if they should fast during certain months “as I have done for so many years?” (Zechariah 7: 3)

God responds to their question with some questions of His own: “When you fasted and mourned…was it really for me that you fasted?  And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?”

“Was it really for me??? “

Maybe as we look at our calendars leading up to Christmas, that’s a good question to ask ourselves: Is it really for God???

Is it really for God? Or is it just something we’ve “done for so many years” like the guys from Bethel?

Is it something God placed on my heart? Or is it something I’m doing to prove myself or win the acceptance and admiration of others?

Is it one of the good works that God has called me to walk in? Or is it something I’m doing just because everyone else is?

This morning, I was feeling frazzled and frantic when God reminded me to first be still.  And He reminded me of the little song that goes: Jesus, we remember this your birthday.

Maybe that sounds overly simple. But what a good reminder: It’s HIS birthday. We are celebrating the baby boy born in Bethlehem who would set us free so we can live in a way that says: Yes, Lord, it is really for You. All for You.

 

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