Leave My Coffee Alone!

Note: this article is from the archives of Christian Grandfather Magazine and was first published on October 11, 2023.

“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” (Romans 12:4-5ESV)

You can’t do this, and you can’t do that, and you certainly can—NOT drink coffee! What!? What are you talking about? Leave my coffee alone! My grandfather told the story of going to national camp meetings in the early 20th century. It seems sin was defined by what you can, or can’t do. Coffee, due to its caffeine content, was considered such a transgression, so you would not find it on the campgrounds. You would, How…ever, find it across the street in the long line behind the horse and buggy vendor who capitalized on all those sinners every year.

Even today, we get caught up on what some call the CAN’T’s. One of the biggest can’t’s is found in our spiritual gift(s). We say “we can’t” because we either don’t know what our gift(s) are, or we are aftaid to use them. When you became a Christian, God gave you a spiritual gift. It is a very special gift that He will use through you, for His kingdom and His glory.

As grandfahters my thought is this. Why are many of us not using these gifts in our winter years? Is it because we can’t, because we don’t know our gift(s), or is it because we won’t? I can’t do that! Paul wrote in Romans 12:4-5, “. . . we are individual members, one of another.” What does that mean? Our gift(s) are “. . . for blessing and supporting the body of Christ, the church.” You see, when we use our gift(s) we bless each other! Don’t you want to be blessed? Then use your gift and encourage others to use theirs.

One of the things we grandfathers tend to forget is, it ain’t over! Yes, we are seniors, we are retired, and we have empty nests. Unlike Peter, it is “NOT” time to go fishing! Perhaps it is time to help our granchildren recognize their gift(s) and encourgage them to begin using them. We are still useful! Let God show you how. Can you imagine the impact on your family, your church, and your community if we all used our gifts together, to encourage and edify each other? Emagine the impact to future genertions if we start, right now, teaching and encouraging our grandchildren to use their gifts?

Get off the CAN’T’s and realize you CAN do it! Our grandchildren are waiting for someone, anyone, to introduce them to their gift(s). Will it be you? God is our strength and our provider! He has not given us a gift without the strength to use it!

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. – 2 Timothy 1:7

Ref:

Ministry Tools Resource Center https://mintools.com › gifts-list

How to Squander Your Spiritual Gifts: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-to-squander-your-spiritual-gifts

Romans 12:4-5 ESV https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A4-5&version=ESV

Andy Oldham is the founder and co-creator of Christian Grandfather Magazine. He received his B.A. in religious studies and education from Anderson University. He has served as pastor to senior adults, and fills pulpits when needed. Andy taught memoir classes at the local library and after writing his personal memoirs wrote Everlasting Cronies, a story of growing up in rural Louisiana. His inspirational column in the Northside Sun Newspaper was well received by his community. His poem, Winters Grace has been honored in first place by the Mississippi Poetry Society. He and his wife, Barbara, have six grandchildren and enjoy retirement in Mississippi.

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