I’m a list maker. I thrive on making lists and crossing things off. I will even write something down that I’ve already completed simply for the pure joy of crossing it off.
In the latter part of 2019, one of the goals on my list was to decrease my caffeine intake. Even though I live in a tropical environment I actually prefer a steaming hot beverage all throughout the day. I began swapping out my several cups of coffee for herbal tea. I’d use the same mug throughout the day, reusing a tea bag for the morning and then refreshing it in the afternoon with a new one or two. One day I used my Seattle mug. As I took sips of my Peach Detox tea I began thinking of my best friend who lives in Seattle. I felt prompted to pray for her, blessing her home and family, asking the Lord to be near her at work and give her peace and grace.
Initially, I thought it was just a prompting of prayer that my friend needed that day, but the next time I used that Seattle mug, I did the same thing. I prayed over my best friend all day. That’s when inspiration hit. If drinking hot tea all day in the same mug is reminding me to pray for my best friend, then I need more mugs that remind me to pray for my loved ones. So for Christmas, I requested mugs from my husband and children that remind me of them.
Some are older mugs, like my Seattle mug, and some are newer, like the one my neighbor gave me for Christmas and didn’t even know about my Great Mug Experiment!
There is so much pressure as humans to do everything well. Walk 10,000 steps each day, cook meals from scratch, have an amazing marriage, raise wonderful children, work full time, not to mention volunteering, praying, reading the Bible, and giving to others. It’s quite overwhelming.
I love the idea of having a reminder in my everyday life to pray for those I love. It’s not taking any time away from my to-do list, but rather adding to my day as I’m thinking about them, thanking God for them, and praying over their lives.
What’s an everyday trigger that would remind you to connect your heart with God’s? Maybe it’s not a coffee mug, but a post-it note on your bathroom mirror, or a key chain that reminds you as you sit in the car line, or something else that is uniquely you.
As I’ve been making my lists for 2020 I’ve been praying over you, dear friend. My purpose with this blog is to encourage you to be brave in your everyday life. I don’t know what direction my writing will take this year, but I’m grateful you’re on this journey with me. Let’s be brave together.