Love affair gone bad

I grew up in a coffee drinking family. Ever since I can remember a pot of coffee brewed early in the morning and was gone by noon. I can remember drinking that coffee at an early age. For me, it was almost an immediate love affair. Everything about it was attractive. The aroma, the taste, and yes even the jolting affect. I can remember putting 2 teaspoons of sugar in one cup of coffee, YUM! I was so wired up on caffine and sugar, you'll never know.

My love affair with coffee continued through high school and college. In fact, during my college years I was introduced to flavored coffee, Mmmm! (this was before I knew about espresso.) Soon I didn't want anything to do with regular coffee, the flavored beans were far superior. Not long after flavored coffee exploded on the scene, specialty coffee shops began springing up all over the place. In fact, my wife and I began our love affair at a coffee shop in Kansas City. We went out for coffee at a German shop on our fist date. How ironic! I'm in love with my date and my drink... Could anything be better?

I've been around a few Pastors in my day, enough of them to know that they prefer coffee over any other drink. It must be the caffine or maybe the sobering smell. Who knows? Whatever the case, I came to realize that I had become a coffee addict. I worshiped at the altar of Jehova Java! I simply couldn't begin the day without my adored fix of caffine.

All was going well in this love affair until body began to revolt. My lover was letting me down. Drinking strong brews of coffee were beginning to wear down my urinary tract and disrupt my sleep. After a series of visits to the Doctor, I came to realize this love affair had to end. At least the caffinated portion of it. In 2005 I quit drinking caffinated coffee during a 40 day fast. The first 2 weeks without my beloved fix of caffine, were miserable. Oh, how I missed my beloved java and longed for her embrace. But I remained committed to let her go.

By now, you're probably having a good belly laugh! Go ahead, I really don't care. For a while, I thought I was the only idiot negatively affected by coffee. It sure doesn't seem to affect 30 Million or so a day who frequent Starbucks. Or does it? I did some research on the internet and quickly discovered that I am not alone. I found that scores of men my age were facing the same issue. Our caffinated culture is quietly wreaking serious havoc on our health and most of us don't even know it. Perhaps because we're smitten with love. And maybe for you, it's not coffee, it's Mountain dew, or Rockstar energy drinks. Whatever the case, you might be one of the lucky ones and escape the adverse affects of caffine. Unfortunately, I was not.

Today, my coffee drinking is strictly limited Decaf! In fact, I rarely drink a caffinated beverage of any sort. Frankly, my body just can't take it. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of mornings I wake up and long for the fresh aroma of brewed coffee. And yes, there are many times, I wish I had the jolt of an espresso. But at what price?

Quit honestly, I have never shared this before and wonder how some of you might respond. Dont' get me wrong, I'm not dogmatic about this or anything. Coffee is a wonderful drink, an I'm not against her. And besides, what works for me, might not work for you. So I hope you don't think I'm obsessed or on a soap box. If drinking coffee doesn't bother you, then great! As for me, I am reminded of a verse from I Corinthians 6:19 where Paul says, "do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?" It just so happens that this temple has to be caffine free!

Comments? Questions? Go for it!