Before the day begins

Mornings do not always begin with quiet solitude and a freshly brewed cup of coffee. Some are a hurried rush for the shower and the front door as schedules intervene on our time. Somewhere along the way, mornings began to lose their gentle pace. Now, it seems as if the alarm clock is followed by a rush of notifications, appointments, and responsibilities. Fading into the background of our busyness is the scent of coffee brewing and the invitation to sit for a moment before the world crowds in.
Once upon a time, the kitchen was more than a place to prepare a meal; it was a room of morning greetings where coffee was poured and thoughts were gathered. Breakfast was shared, and conversations lingered a little longer before everyone stepped into the responsibilities waiting outside the door. It may have seemed like an ordinary routine, but looking back, it was a gift we did not even know we were receiving.
Today, we step through the door with travel mugs that promise to keep our fresh brew hot during the commute. They are practical and convenient, but sometimes I wonder if, in taking our coffee with us, we have forgotten the blessing of sitting together before the day begins. If so, then perhaps the issue is not the travel mug we carry, but the moments we leave behind. Life will always provide responsibilities to shoulder, schedules to follow, and places to be. Yet even on the busiest of mornings, we can choose to pause, to listen, and to remember that connection is one of God’s greatest gifts, especially our connection with Him.
I wonder what would change if we set the alarm 30 minutes earlier and made room for stillness before the day demanded our attention. What if we made room for a quiet moment with those we love and with the One who walks beside us? What if we considered our time as valuable an offering as our tithe and talents? Would our days flow differently because of the gift we choose to give before the day begins?
These questions find their answer in the morning meal that Jesus prepared for His disciples. In John 21, Peter returned to what he knew. “I am going fishing,” he said, and the others followed. After all they had experienced, returning to the familiar seemed natural. Yet Jesus was waiting on the shore. Before He spoke of purpose or reminded Peter of his calling, Jesus prepared breakfast. He built a fire, cooked fish, and invited His disciples to share a meal with Him.
We often hurry past that morning meal to get to the words, “Do you love me? Feed my sheep.” But there is something holy in the breakfast itself. Jesus was reminding them that ministry begins with relationship, that service flows from love, and that some of the deepest blessings are found as we simply linger with Him.
I believe the same invitation remains for us today. Before the demands of the world pull us in different directions, Jesus invites us to slow down, to gather, and to receive the gift of His presence. The ordinary moments we often rush through may be the very places where God is waiting to meet us. A cup of coffee, a shared conversation, or a quiet morning with Him can become a sacred reminder that we were created not only to do, but also to be still with Him.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” — Psalm 23:5

Cheryl Mixon-Cruce is Pastor of Ochlockonee Bay United Methodist Church and Sopchoppy United Methodist Church.