Coffee and Do Nots

Do not worry.  Do not fret.  Do not be anxious.

Hey, I know all the flavors of do-nots.  I try to sample all of them every day with my morning coffee.  But sometimes I get distracted.  Sometimes I find myself standing right beside you-know-who at the pastry bar, and he whispers in my ear.

He tempts me by saying, “This morning, try something else, like that day-old nutcake or that somewhat moldy crumbcake or — hey, even better — that year-old morsel of crazybread they have stored in the freezer.  Any of those would be good to chew on this morning, don’t you think?  Aren’t they all made from the same basic recipe you love so much — what is it you call it — Rue the Day Mix?”

As tempting as those things are, today I ignore his suggestions and scoot back to the section where today’s fresh pastries offer me a much better way to start my day.  Today I choose the do-nots.   The Person to my right smiles and nods, so I know I have made the best selection.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see you-know-who reaching for his usual morning fare, and I hear him as he says, “I’ll take the devil’s food, and make it quick; I have work to do!”

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

                                                                       (Philippians 4:6-7)