3 Things I learned switching to decaf

A few years ago if you asked me if I drank a lot of coffee I would have said no. I know what coffee drinkers look like … I worked with a number of Dutch guys for 2 years and so compared to them, nobody drank a lot of coffee. (Insert various FIFA jokes here).

A few years ago in January, Susan and I were positioning ourselves for a new year, expecting great things,  and decided to participate in a fast that our church was doing. I had never fasted before – unless you count when you forget your lunch, which from a theological point of view, is more of an involuntary vow of stomache rumbling.

So, the fast began, the coffee runs ceased, and then …. all hell broke loose for 4 days. Here’s what I learned …

1. You Make Really Really Really Bad decisions when you’re in pain.

I know that caffeine affects people differently, but for me, it was the equivalent of giving a small angry troll a tack hammer and have him sit on my shoulders all day whacking me in the temple.  Saying I was irritable was like saying Godzilla  wasn’t very kind at times. When you are going to make decisions, being well rested, having your mind clear, being in good health and giving yourself time to think is so important. Too often we make decisions in temporary challenges, and the consequences of those decisions are not temporary, but long term.  Time is your friend, speed kills.

2. Addiction is Like soil erosion, you can’t see it until it’s too late

I was addicted to caffeine and had no idea. Again, some of my Dutch friends can top off the night with a gallon of coffee and go straight to bed, but for me, the caffeine had me and I had no idea. Addictions are like that. A friend of mine once said, “When you get hit by a train, it’s never the caboose that kills you.”  One thing can lead to another and it is sooooooo easy. And easily justified in our minds in a lot of cases.  Susan would comment on how much coffee I had, but naturally, she was way off. It wasn’t until my left eye was slightly shut from the 4 day headache I had while I detoxed that I realized she may have been onto something. Who’s trying to get your attention on something that has you?

3. When your numb, you’re dumb

When I was numb to how much caffeine I was taking in regularly I was dumbed to it’s impact on my body. Now that my body is decaf, If I get a coffee that isn’t, I know about it. Like when the drive through people screw up and I’m in bed at 2AM contemplating driving over there just to say, “Hi. It’s me. I asked for decaf and because of you, I’m going to be no good at work tomorrow – here’s my invoice for my losses.” What have you been numb to for so long you’re dumb to? (problem is, someone else might have to help with that – ouch.)

I’ll be speaking this Sunday 8:30am & 11:00am and next Wednesday evening 7pm at Koinonia  http://kcf.org/

If you’re a reader in the area, come on by – Susan and I would love to meet you!