So, how do you like your coffee?  Millions of people spend millions of dollars each and every day in search of that elusive cup of coffee that seems to satisfy the senses.  Perhaps you are one of those that include the pilgrimage to your local coffee haunt part of your daily routine.  While I’m not enough of a frequenter to qualify for the “gold card” I do make the trek to a nearby Starbuck’s often enough to be captivated by the effort (and expense) that goes into making a good cup of “Joe.”  As I’ve observed this daily phenomenon I’m intrigued as well by the strategic thought that goes into creating a place intended to give the patrons that same sensation they would get from having their morning coffee at home.  Recently however I’ve had this thought that while there is much attention given to creating the right environment and no doubt great attention given to the selection of the coffee beans themselves there is one critical component of the experience that seemingly gets no attention.  In fact, it is really the unsung hero that is rendered to a silent partner status in the entire process.  It is…the coffee filter.  Let’s think about it for a minute. Without the coffee filter the coffee, regardless of the appealing environment, would no longer satisfy the senses and would be considered by most to be undrinkable.  Doesn’t it seem that in much the same way living a life without the appropriate filters in place can make life seem almost undoable?  You see it is the filters of life that help us prioritize among other things the crush of activities vying for our time.  The filters of life can help us drown out the noise that stems from the countless distractions of life.  And having the right filters in place over an extended period of time can actually lead to experiencing the fulfillment that comes from a life well lived or a job well done.  There’s no doubt that having the appropriate filters through which we can sift through the complexities of life can help us ensure we are pursuing the very things that bring satisfaction well beyond our senses.  They can help us leave room for those things that actually satisfy the soul like having time for the quietness of reflection or a meaningful conversation with a friend. 

So, what filters do you have in place for your life?  Some that work for me are the accountability of a friend, measuring all things against a clear understanding of the season of life I’m in, guarding my yes’s, maintaining the right priority of God, family and work, etc.  I’d like to encourage you to take some time to consider what “filters” you might need to put in place in your life right now.  Though you may find the process somewhat bitter at first you might just find that you’ll soon be drinking from the cup that brings life.  Peace.