I Had a Sermon… and then coffee happened

This morning I sat down to write a powerful, life – changing sermon. You know the kind – the one where heavens opens, angels harmonize, and someone in the back row finally stops checking their Facebook feed.

I had my bible. I had my notebook. I even had a fresh cup of coffee… which, let’s be honest, is about 70% of my spiritual preparation. I opened my notes and wrote the title: “Walking in Faith.”

Strong start. Very Pastoral.

Then I took a sip of coffee and then everything went sideways. Suddenly I’m thinking is the front right light in the sanctuary still flickering and is it prophetic symbolism? Why do the tithe envelopes all disappear when I happen to need one? And who ate the last donut this past Sunday. (I will find you and there may be church discipline required)

Anyway… back to “Walking in Faith.”

Faith is powerful. Faith moves mountains. Faith pleases God. Faith also apparently does not help you remember where you set your pen 12 seconds ago.

So, I’m standing in my office, retracting my steps like a detective in a low – budget crime show: “Alright last known location… desk… possible movement towards coffee pot… motive is unclear at this time…”

Still no pen. But somewhere in the middle of my wandering, half caffeinated investigation, it hit me – This is what walking in faith looks like sometimes.

Not polished. Not perfect. Not Instagram worthy. It looks like trusting God when your notes are messy, your thoughts are scattered, and your coffee is somehow already cold. It looks like preaching even when you feel underprepared. It looks like loving people when you’re tired. It looks like showing up… again… even when last Sunday felt like herding cats with hymnals.

And here is the beautiful part:

God has never once said, “Wow, I would really use you… if you had your life together.” Nope. He specializes in using people who are mid-thought, mid-mess, and occasionally mid-donut. So if today feels a little chaotic-if your “plan” turned into a rambling series of unfinished sentences-take heart. You might be closer to real faith than you think. Because faith isn’t always a straight line.

Sometimes it is a holy wondering with coffee in one hand and hope in the other.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I found my pen.

It was in my hand the entire time.

Which honestly explains a lot about my ministry.

The Ramblings of a Small Church Pastor

-Pastor Doug Trudell Jr